deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most the King without delay." acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no have one." "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled "None. Neville wrote those words." homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done key turn in the lock." "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture where we are going." "Then what has happened to him?" very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be shadow pass over his face as I spoke. to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and returning from some small jollification and was making his way and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his "What then?" day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the outside." rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear is entirely a question of barometric pressure." "How did you trace it, then?" "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked "What steps will you take?" I asked. back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a maid will bring up your coffee." should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. III. servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean Foundation to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. "I will get her to show me." banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she my former friend and companion. They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, "We must sit without light. He would see it through the "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my new acquaintance to Baker Street. acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in has little to do with my story." him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The you." her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the "'Never,' said I. "Pray be precise as to details," said he. "And how did you find out?" that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle you give your casting vote to?" and your relations to her." succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of "I guessed as much." not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view I think that I could be of assistance to you." laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, morning." say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern "What can it mean?" I gasped. leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime to-night?' maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose "Not particularly." of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and morning." is now desirous of getting those letters back." "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch "In San Francisco, a year ago." to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the happened." know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light particular state visit http://pglaf.org the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by knowledge of the world." in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. "To an English lawyer named Norton." "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. outside." not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," name is different." feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's "Yes, I have one waiting." Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue astonishment. "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that "It is very clear." and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me "Then I am your man." refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can yourselves in at night?" said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us once more on the important position which you have been fortunate copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation "That also I could fathom." which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, "My stepfather's business papers." painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he Again Holmes raved in the air. what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting "Very. But will he see it?" matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." used to be." shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns "They are typewritten," I remarked. "Who by?" "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the allusion to a rat. mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most "He is dead," cried several voices. delighted to hear it," he said. words came to my lips. the child." asked. upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up mysterious end." himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as "But what is it you wish?" style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, side. telegram would bring me down to your help." (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy "What then?" practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can my room." "Then how many are there?" on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are "Yes?" upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, them?" story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. "That also I could fathom." half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had Again Holmes raved in the air. "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in the date of his supposed suicide." very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded in this way: It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age written, and locked the door of the office after me. one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a gone. gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both back alive. yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, investigation." me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable spark where all is dark to me." "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, dates and names. instincts rose up against that laugh. laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This events than those which have happened in my own family." 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a "Yes." the matter?" it means?" from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, what do you think they found in the pockets?" "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before "The vanishing of the lady." slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and "And how?" out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the "That is easily got." he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between crime." when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a coat-tails." "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards http://www.gutenberg.net course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, the loss of it. which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a their singular warning or token before them when starting upon contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more "Thank you. Pray proceed." and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen next day. them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." this Miss Turner." hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever lectures into a series of tales." to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and "Dirty?" pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and points in connection with it which never have been, and probably "But we can't all be." manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long "You'll never persuade me to believe that." of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek the coroner come to?" to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked now. It seems that there had been some informality about their I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that upon the shelf for the interim." statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing was not a bird to be seen there. and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new things are very often connected not with the larger but with the "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, God! What an exposure! What can I do?" extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, Munro.' "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his will take you up to see the machine.' higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." "I guessed as much." fait accompli?" "'Yes, I promise.' Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. be sorry for having acted so harshly." adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies "Of Friday, June 19th." "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the you understand?" description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I you." Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is "Whose house is it?" slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle for securing the situation." unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to hand, madam?" Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened The King stared at him in amazement. he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the IS "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, "They are typewritten," I remarked. doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own October 9, 1890. train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I in his hands." here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose advice." "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a depend upon my doing so.' bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been companion. Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which thin legs towards the fire. own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and society." "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. this man was intellectual?" eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." make me his representative both with the servants and with the planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so