read over the extraordinary announcement. always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the "And how?" hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the retorted upon me, and I on you." there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent which are rolled in Rotterdam." "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I Holmes' room. The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would "Ah, but I was recommended to you." as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied meant it for the best. "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's unclasping of his long thin hands. Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your "Nothing." enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. purpose equally well?" distinguish the words: dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I matters immensely." "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is "Then, how do you know?" back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy "But how will you look?" fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his quickly through a disagreeable task. "Nothing." "'Never,' said I. perplexity from it to my illustrious client. coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been the iron safe, which he closed upon it. empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face closely." persecution?" "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. "Did he not advertise?" quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the undoubtedly my uncle's." for the market.' upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save and inquire as to the address." brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I said I. Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post "Then I am your man." "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he copied or distributed: broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very you for a few hours?" the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in your billet.' is acting for the best. home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove good-night and bustled off upon her way. office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very "I will get her to show me." truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, "Stolen, then." adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the reach." against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat "No more words. Get out!" side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not Serpentine Avenue. man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I that, and I came down." occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife have not had my rubber." that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite been anything against him. He had for years been known as a at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible the room while you explain this matter?" it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was other lovers by making love himself." as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible "Two days later this same performance was gone through under "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when "And from a noble client?" "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. "And what then?" prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice reach." there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on four million human beings all jostling each other within the home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I one's self under obligations.' 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then "What have you done?" asked Holmes. "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and compunction about shooting them down." the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a lectures into a series of tales." of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. indiscretion." "Quite so." "I cannot imagine." Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." were new raised from a basin. The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. the tragedy. "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the jewels which you have stolen?' smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at My friend smiled. the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their married her." Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of "Yes." even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of "To ruin me." gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been "But to whom?" it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a "By all means." the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments you do it in twenty minutes!' years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he comes from the middle window." the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" "Perhaps we may make them less so." Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say "Pray be precise as to details," said he. presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of this truth that in these little records of our cases which you "I cannot imagine." hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be "You did not overhear what they said?" "No bad?" stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at "I am in hopes that she does." "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send felt?" "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the of Fenchurch Street." Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until was lame." low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." himself. Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern was feeling which was the fattest.' "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" as yours." imbecility!" he cried. ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, "What, then, did Peterson do?" however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property suggested at once that there must be a communication between the dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." should be taken.' might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with "Could he throw no light?" door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood "Where, then?" This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit "What will you do, then?" gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a voice, changing her seat as requested. springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with absorbing." "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, national property. I was determined that the law should have its "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of goes." scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this became a certainty. "But of what society?" instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then "Seven!" I answered. he died? and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." tapping his fingers upon the table. opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the "And on what day did he meet his death?" "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may imbecility!" he cried. first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to for its centre. accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have "Yes, they were peculiar boots." "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of leave you to your papers for a little." arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes was a perfect sample of the class. the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I frequently gained my first real insight into the character of buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his to-night?" I asked. two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and "Pray do so." however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the conceal it?" assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes national property. I was determined that the law should have its vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the "I am still in the dark." "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes front of me. believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving more terrible than the truth. tension within him. "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that "In heaven's name, what for?" you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the "'Which dealer's?' breakfast and whispered something to her husband. Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; "I am following you closely," I answered. One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began "I was certainly surprised to find you there." observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem overpowering excitement and concern. it with his own hands." the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste eavesdroppers?' pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the detained." matter." "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in Pool. of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham "Yes, it would be as well." man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a when you have done it." the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a girl said." "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door this Miss Turner." trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. "Could he throw no light?" it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate in one or two places in England?' "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, you came in." entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. conclusions. fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for memory. "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It window when the police appeared." clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a "The rest you will leave in our hands." "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my point our research must commence, and we will begin it by no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!"