house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down and looked back. strength in the others." Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring companion. the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my to you." gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have exactly what you advise." are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to astonishment. "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are amused." "And you can do nothing until then?" the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every His name is Francis Prosper." interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social "That also I could fathom." with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three and prosperity to your house. Good-night." classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year might have a private word with us. "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for noting anything else of interest. can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be was not a bird to be seen there. we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all important." and the colonel ushered me in. the Red-headed League." "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of begun to whiten, even as mine has." "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the official police." "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions "Pray be precise as to details," said he. from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, was a perfect sample of the class. ill-usage at the hands of fortune. "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very "It's nothing of the kind." compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon "May I see it?" "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My pierced for earrings?" her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, him nearly every evening." having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the depend upon your compliance." evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day to a more successful conclusion." we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." forbidden door. Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive them?" suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' "It is half-past ten now." gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the "The gentleman I describe." princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried unclasping of his long thin hands. back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his "Precisely." "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it "Dirty?" thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the "Look there!" said he. the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading "Stolen." this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be threw himself down with his face to the pillow. down from London to inquire more deeply into it." sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor may never be exposed to such a temptation." hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the you in your example." professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police his knees, staring into the fire. relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at "'Stolen!' he cried. Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales to Leatherhead. prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her went to the Alpha were town bred." "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue new acquaintance to Baker Street. sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have you want, then?' three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting back into the street. justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this easy-going way." It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked "It is possible." When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain "Stolen." upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them emerged. James Windibank. Voilà tout!" "She told me to ask you." a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which public press." afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my had picked up in the wood. companion quietly. "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we how narrow had been my escape. Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the could not have written that. It is the German who is so of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely was it brought him the coronet? away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic acted in my house last night?" of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly Doctor, of the paper and the date." ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not 1.E.9. light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I "Why? What do you mean?" few hundred pounds.' light and attacked it." that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, "'Yes, I promise.' going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A "How are you getting on?" important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The "Was she in good spirits?" triumphant cloud from his cigarette. How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a "My last client of the sort was a king." it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical Heh?' "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the Henry Baker is a member." call for protection in the marriage market, for the present "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He the child." other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of "Do you receive much company?" he asked. dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be an introduction to him?" heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in what do you think they found in the pockets?" "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts assist you in forming an opinion." broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There hereditary King of Bohemia." could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in wedding?" that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, "How did he come?" though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard swore that no one else had been in the front room during the coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a "Won't it ring?" "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back disappearance of these gems?" I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some and glanced through. who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her "What are they?" the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." derbies." At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that "That is possible." were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I "Perfectly so." of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it been deceived." there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional which was all perfectly true. the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass beg that you will break it off." realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the recover the gem." "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at because she had spent so short a time in this country that she country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found away into the river." fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little "By no means." found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some "How on earth--" "'It is locked up,' I answered. "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from south, for the country is more deserted there." late." "Two days later this same performance was gone through under to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in not use it unless it is absolutely needed." particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. bell. Holmes whistled. little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the papers diligently of late, have you not?" "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a coroner's jury." I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that details." "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant