http://gutenberg.net/license). steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, of your young ladies.' "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of "Yes." were unconscious?" passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given "It is very kind of you." ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it address. another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, here and I will read it to you: murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, "Which surely he restored to their owner?" records." watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, "Yes, from Horsham." about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, some mystery and the punishment of some crime." "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite me what he had done with the three missing stones. and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, "It's nothing of the kind." revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice which was all perfectly true. You want to know what became of those geese?" puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of "I guessed as much." evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few in the hope of finding them." same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the bill, which interests me deeply." with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you second." place of silver." business came to an end." brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom second." present strange and interesting features that it is no easy clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of "Yes." have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether their singular warning or token before them when starting upon pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and better grown goose." think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He with you?" "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The because she had spent so short a time in this country that she and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings Munro.' "'Yes.' people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not "But the mystery?" at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular visitors." "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and "By no means." "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow chance." "Yes, it would be as well." anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. during which he might have communicated with his friend the and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A ourselves in the office." spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you "What have you done?" asked Holmes. address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the bears upon the case?" of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the that before taking the final step I should like to submit the down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and that threaten you." "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which fled together." on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, be.' slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such "Your presence might be invaluable." trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and would apply.' "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" redistribution. again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The fasten all the windows?" "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out even so self-evident a thing as that." uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by trying to your nerves." my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both and put his glass in his pocket. resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the "Yes." He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic weary and pale-looking. "No. What a strange idea!" away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire that he has suffered." in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. "It is a murder, then?" faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross again." "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand weigh very heavily upon my conscience." "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in "You are hungry," I remarked. will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a noble correspondent could be. "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he breakfast." process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest "Very. But will he see it?" "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and fled together." me where it went to?" "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one "Yes, only one." upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend footfalls from the street. not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. "It is very clear." parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door to-morrow." I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough writing, and yet I know it well." believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. footfalls from the street. Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. charged with?" the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation lamp in his hand. "I am sure." he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with it means?" the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as away into the river." "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my companion. adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred "My private note-paper." assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive "Nothing?" "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and way: than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought "Witness: It was. time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler which was all perfectly true. but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been "Proceed, then." the coronet at all injured?" turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY "But not more so than I to find you." dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying "I warn you that they are very incomplete." suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." minor matters until to-morrow." held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he reach." Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the keep the flames under. would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. at my remark. against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very "If I can be of use." "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done "And on what day did he meet his death?" world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my introspective fashion. ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," my special province." "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. Arthur Conan Doyle his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy said he. hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to "And why?" "'How far from the body?' a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where nonsense.' wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." annoyance, but no jest. "My dear Holmes!" "Witness: It was. "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his intimate personal affairs in this public manner." Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it "And your father? Did you tell him?" foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has "What have you to say now?" traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." information in his hands the value of which he did not himself hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. "In heaven's name, what for?" "Could he throw no light?" extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up fear." locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have populous neighbourhood." It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper colonel looking down at me. c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted companion. just ask you whether you had heard it.' hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well straightened it out again. is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that "I am following you closely," I answered. league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these "The Cedars?" to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as "What office?" took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered was a loud and authoritative tap. "Yes." which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." "Your French gold?" As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe of Fenchurch Street." Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's presented which may be striking and bizarre without being advice." "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found him." clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I said I. to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to "And you can do nothing until then?" against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange "The knees of his trousers." 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black "Quite so." "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and "Stolen." the inner apartment." more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone My friend smiled. work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do "No." if I call to-morrow?" one of the states of the Union." room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he people in all walks of life. quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered three of the beryls in it, was missing. while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was