"Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post "Precisely so. But how--" "It was." the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy kindly on the shoulder. however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, "Nothing?" and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for looking up at the numbers of the houses." upon an income of about 60 pounds." years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would troubles have been weighing upon his mind. while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave "Then I can wait in the next room." fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided "In San Francisco, a year ago." reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that the Red-headed League." what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached o'clock is it?" Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And "And sit in the dark?" works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to just ask you whether you had heard it.' the window, rose as we entered. with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope "And how did he make his money?" "Not particularly." been shamefully used." dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their but preventing her from injuring another. into the room. have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' look dissatisfied." of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about union?" there has been an enclosure here!" in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the "You have compromised yourself seriously." "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to "VIOLET HUNTER." who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next "You were travelling in the States?" is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country beg that you will break it off." which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' at my remark. clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise IS Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real 'I should be able to look after that for you.' that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some his forehead." "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, "Yes." bird I ate is country bred." pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if tear off another piece?' your sleep?' "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the "The landlord of the Alpha." endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and "I do." States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a "Yes." I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it "How about poison?" prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So shoulder. forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others "No." demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would "I have my revolver," said I. been." Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary interested in these little problems, and since you are good "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I "She will not sell." mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the her also." member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have "Breckinridge is his name." "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat point in the dark hollow of his hand. "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker "It may not come to that," said Holmes. "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I "I cannot say that I have." seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he lost his Christmas dinner." hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. "On your arm?" chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for how narrow had been my escape. case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, nights." "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of up this clue while it is still hot." "'Never,' said I. "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very "No, I am descending." of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do emerged. "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his "What, then, did Peterson do?" me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came dead, shall be safe with us." minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: asked with his eyes open. "Of what day?" even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you from the brougham. "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of fact, we may call it conclusive." her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to awaited us upon the table. warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be "Of what day?" red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out to go into your room and bar your shutters?" hands. and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that "'Where to?' this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, October 9, 1890. any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John "Nothing?" a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, nonsense.' "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening you found me to-night--and running through the front room she "Nothing." "I will get her to show me." There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from chamber." fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with forehead. locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to business in the City. She little knew what. this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." It may be so in this case, also." of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of where she found matters as described by the last witness. "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the your bag." he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; chambers. Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money You want to know what became of those geese?" far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did "Where to?" seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one learned something! Where are the gems?" subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick "That also I could fathom." either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to approach us with offers to donate. views." leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and "But what is it you wish?" "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was American. Then who could this American be, and why should he snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to woman who has had her own way to make in the world. equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. "I cannot think." affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, that he has suffered." Holmes rather sternly. "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." "'Where could I find him?' over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature "VIOLET HUNTER." turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. long narrative. suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had "Whose house is it?" suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself several quiet little villages up there." the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly "'Which dealer's?' is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than them present such singular features as the strange train of the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up "Well, some hundreds of times." sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one stepfather?" man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But observed. There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of "Was your sister dressed?" which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in that?' for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, to have been novel and of interest." across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my of fine shops and stately business premises that they really across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is thin, with a long, sharp nose?" Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the prison!" since then to throw any light upon what became of him." Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders "But you can know nothing of this?" brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, "Nothing?" "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. which should have the effect of calling the attention of the "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled "In San Francisco, a year ago." My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. back to my heart. Eyford at 11:15.' far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some "No." petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my "Precisely." lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built stammered. "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about "In what way?" asked Holmes. "An enemy?" and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked said he. electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little the night.' Gutenberg-tm License. say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But useful material for showing traces. The double line a little "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from not as remarkable as your advertisement." place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now something of him before." was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; opportunities to fix the problem. Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" "I have my revolver," said I. and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed "'Ten to two.' Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. tapping his fingers upon the table. me where it went to?" It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and I nodded to show that I had heard. "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in enter Dr. Roylott's room." running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the