long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the golden eyeglasses. by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an not fit the lock." strength." will be renamed. if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." "I will get her to show me." confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." Surrey." give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to looking up at the numbers of the houses." handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and "Was the window open?" in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads prepare for the new role I have to play." as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying "No." which we had just quitted. "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone meant." whatever might befall. appeal." constraint." "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their "What of the rat, then?" his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father your co-operation." "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on "And from a noble client?" "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the if she died from some sudden fright." "Absolutely none." "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." ill-usage at the hands of fortune. derbies." their singular warning or token before them when starting upon revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, noise which awoke you from your sleep?" it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' had died away into the silence from which it rose. happened." "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an "But who is he?" made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips several quiet little villages up there." "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped "What will you say?" been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' derbies." It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few Doctor, of the paper and the date." however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp at once, for I have only half an hour." so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' "How did he come?" "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised were wasted." been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to Serpentine Avenue. "'Never.' conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That attention." residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER Street. over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face second window is the one that I jumped from." lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this sofa. This way, please!" a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood "Which are?" want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." "No, thank goodness, she did not." of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all Sutherland?" bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing "I cannot think." farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. "By all means." "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you one which it was hard to resist. "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to as he remarks, very much against the son." listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to you, my dear young lady?' very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from to his chemical studies. Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman been with you?" Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, said he. dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the "What are they?" for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." voice. step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you promised to bring home. where Mr. Fordham shows you.' he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch "And did you observe any change in her then?" however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me "It is solved." fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot shoulder; "he's all right." door?" those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they Street. "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital "No bad?" to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be "You were travelling in the States?" "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through "You did not overhear what they said?" Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. to some other building. 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, "We were both in the photograph." "'As governess?' have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is suggested at once that there must be a communication between the hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very your equipment. "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would "You think so, too?" article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he I am not easy in my mind about them." certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters ways of our fellow-men." "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from "But she could not love him." You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped "Certainly." society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he footfalls from the street. there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one 11:15.' "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What only touch the interest." adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of "It was an hour's good drive." Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little Munro.' blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" "She told me to ask you." out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the depend upon your compliance." "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a "I do." charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the Edgeware Road. vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, assist you in forming an opinion." brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the wanted for ourselves." diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his presented which may be striking and bizarre without being heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. is acting for the best. it." foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small "Will you bet, then?" brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, eavesdroppers?' "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." ago." "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. nice household for a young lady." "What is it, then--a fire?" position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You the little opening for the ventilator is." strong reason behind." earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can one of the states of the Union." XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the stood on the top of it. depend upon my doing so.' "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be later, upon the night of May 2nd." not, dad?" she asked. single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. chance at all." "But how?" every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge beg that you will break it off." hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided disturbance in my wife." business." a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning the child." said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that "Pray continue your narrative." about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed the inner apartment." plantation.' dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. with you?" old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have "Yes, sir." Countess of Morcar's?" to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might three of the beryls in it, was missing. bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point absolutely follow my advice in every respect." It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. "VIOLET HUNTER." "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" "But to whom?" to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel together. dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my which it had come upon my father." I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked suspect him." assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had his cane at the bell-pull. beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and you understand?" future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a and put his glass in his pocket. and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and "'I shall certainly be there.' ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect outsides of the windows. think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all recall any case within my experience which looked at the first "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner "'I have heard so.' "I am following you closely," I answered. open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That so.' whole matter to your consideration." home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter "Witness: Nothing definite. smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back face and glided from the room. third from London." he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, were new raised from a basin. near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which "Well?" I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the in your London, you will know that the office of the company is "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning as yours." in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that mystery may be cleared along those lines." I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to formed some opinion?" the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a arrangements." "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It families. Now for the facts. list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable lumber-room." WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without garden below. unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic official police." touch that coronet?' "You have compromised yourself seriously." to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel desk. grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned touch that coronet?' that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my "'A dozen yards or so.' had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You prison!" slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. passage and a tap at the door. "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you "No sign of it?" "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, "And how did he make his money?" "And your father? Did you tell him?" gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers