"The vanishing of the lady." them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but that you wished to speak to me?' "I have solved it." and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of Pope's Court. foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot and it need not interfere very much with one's other Again Holmes raved in the air. observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can as he remarks, very much against the son." back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open had picked up in the wood. you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the not as remarkable as your advertisement." deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing you do it in twenty minutes!' who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in cigar and let me expound." preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. late!' fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully some water from a caraffe. "VIOLET HUNTER." "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler said I. clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from stammered. been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, eavesdroppers?' her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, again, where I was soon asleep. The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling sufficient punishment." Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would husband's writing, madam." who was a member of your goose club." companion. him nearly every evening." appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. geese which you supplied to the Alpha." quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable "And how in the world did you find them?" PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; "The knees of his trousers." more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than humiliation." signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you awaited us upon the table. "Then you may be so with me." "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was not interfere, come what may. You understand?" staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose the general public were present, then?" play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker own family. the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that 1.E.9. which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her so.' "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as charge against him will break down." Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and enter Dr. Roylott's room." rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in use an arc-and-compass breastpin." in this way: without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though newspaper selections." characteristics, but those are the more obvious." manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. my room." the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set looking up at the numbers of the houses." red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." Pool. "'And what salary do you ask?' back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over "It is half-past ten now." "An accident, I presume?" which we had just quitted. elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit pictures, libraries, or plate. "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens have had none more fantastic than this." the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his been deceived." There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the populous neighbourhood." To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's "What do you mean?" "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the "One?" "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution Foundation lectures into a series of tales." village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the into the room. office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then and effective." assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for "But she could not love him." "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a for the market.' unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So "And did you observe any change in her then?" examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. in darkness. been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I believe that I should never have any practice at all. once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you geese which you supplied to the Alpha." "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. "And help." "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn emerged. "No, my brougham is waiting." small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and McCarthy's innocence. He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a outbreak?" truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." be there in time for your coming." just called myself is not exactly my own." "Have you her photograph?" matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." could not have written that. It is the German who is so "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining the stones. "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached "No?" the driver. anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I people in all walks of life. will find little credit to be gained out of this case." snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek head. So long, then!" solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. "Witness: Nothing definite. My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the lids now and glanced across at his visitor. twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I "It surprised me." America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the discontent upon his features. description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step "Then I can wait in the next room." the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I "A client, then?" was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of "I was afraid that you were engaged." "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were business." Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your "'It is locked up,' I answered. time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to "'Yes, sir.' beg that you will break it off." Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. answered with a sidelong glance. a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after have one." left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he "My private note-paper." from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself sooner or later she must fall a victim. difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the "Witness: I must still refuse. "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own in darkness. himself to hunt down. and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who the very letters. But what is this written above them?' manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from "I promise," said Holmes. in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that placed his cuttings. someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite man. I know him from the photograph." Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see night.' said he. unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. "I have hopes." Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of The summons was a brief and urgent one. my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or "No, I had a dozen." "What, then?" knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, posted to-day." name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under he died? with you?" And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the "And I." you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned obstinate." I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle "I know where it is." both be extremely obliged.' used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the to surprise her." at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly forebodings. absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black "A confidential servant?" case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some and glanced through. that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of there!' to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at compunction about shooting them down." "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, "Has he come with you to-night?" "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through "'In my own bureau.' "You have carte blanche." months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, is entirely a question of barometric pressure." of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which "I shall most certainly do so." "I think that I had better go, Holmes." stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it notes," he said. contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and bedroom door." submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately drawing your inferences." trifles." glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a "'Where to?' greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I "'Is purely nominal.' James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a like gravel from a pit.' have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the confronted him. brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the "A thing like a cleaver," said he. "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that to tackle the facts." which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." case before our client came into the room." whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus sneer upon his pale face. base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret were new raised from a basin. purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards drove away. sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think "How do you know, then?" gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock "'I have already given you my word.' 11:15.' It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of