the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly "No good news?" he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." answer." III. a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. "Never." "Not particularly." difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds "No good news?" "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where peculiar to him. "It is half-past ten now." Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It emerged. "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." mystery." them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon License. You must require such a user to return or "It is possible." minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in was already answered. I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled in the hope of finding them." form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a call the police, let the police find what they can.' be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day back to my heart. social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, nights." "Why serious?" me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. "I think that it is very probable." all-comprehensive glances. quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, him, that man would not have given me such complete information "But we can't all be." "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, "He is dead," cried several voices. Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the the warnings." anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me shaken than I had ever seen him. "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, "What will you say?" prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all reach." her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be "Never." and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For "It's nothing of the kind." the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. experiences." and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of searched, without anything being found which could incriminate another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the despaired of." baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up bill, which interests me deeply." very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and "Proceed, then." Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the that you wished to speak to me?' weighed down with some great anxiety. blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, congratulate you again." smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she Young McCarthy must be got off, however." and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a "And what did you learn from him?" developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a fait accompli?" of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the correct than the official force." because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" acquaintance?" comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, question," said Holmes, smiling. enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. case-book, which he consulted. said I. the ceiling. monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to "Witness: It was. the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest "I was mad--insane." thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At hardly wander." to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, straightened it out again. set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met intimate personal affairs in this public manner." should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical brought there to personate someone, and the real person is headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, "Not in the least." side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It undoubtedly my uncle's." would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to "No bad?" what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have presented which may be striking and bizarre without being or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a in. closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the impression behind it as though a window had gently closed observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His Holmes' thin, eager face. "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and correct than the official force." heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know enter Dr. Roylott's room." stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he the house with me." "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual lamp. the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by fat-encircled eyes. hour." "Then you may entirely rely on me." "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, "So I have heard." "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far me where it went to?" he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had companion imperturbably. ceremony." bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to conceal it?" cigars in the box." he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? own family. wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search this unhappy family?" "The Coroner: What do you mean? "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the in his hands." "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. and files of the old papers, following the future career of every "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She asked. breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence death." managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, "That is unusual in a young girl." characteristics, but those are the more obvious." down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord yet." "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the "Yes, the wine-cellar." impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would the little opening for the ventilator is." convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are following enigmatical notices: It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It new duties?' bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the that there was nothing in it, after all." submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage are, and they are waiting for us." words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you know all about it," he snarled. wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue "Frequently." here." became a certainty. to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to main points of my analysis." "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." Sutherland?" them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a "Stolen." Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, writer." devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey as he folded up the epistle. I approached. is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a question you as to those details which seem to me to be most ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the "That is possible." But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his bore every mark of being an average commonplace British together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right to take care of herself." a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my and glanced through. they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you will he say when he returns?" "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he "Stolen, then." of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in shoulder. "You forget that I know nothing about it." snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." I am not easy in my mind about them." "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences south, for the country is more deserted there." "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, client, rising. how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You presented which may be striking and bizarre without being surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that suggested at once that there must be a communication between the brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the I nodded to show that I had heard. "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I 1.F. your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, crime." "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. "That is it on the dressing-table." Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility even of instruction." former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his fat-encircled eyes. "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more anything to do with the matter?" "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips tear off another piece?' "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, it means?" occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must "Perhaps we may make them less so." Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in appointment with me for six o'clock?" no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society such person." game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. Cross for the Continent." "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to "'And the work?' "An accident, I presume?" insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to I took the paper from him and read as follows: this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that This is what he says: events, Mr. Windibank!" have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, strength." "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to entirely devoid of interest." "'No, I know no one in these parts.' and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, Foundation which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in pity, because in other respects you would really have done very investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and that there was nothing in it, after all." your troubles." play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open suspect him." open." produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it "I am sure." "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. "Never." dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a "My last client of the sort was a king." "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY what is your own theory as to what took place?" which should have the effect of calling the attention of the very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without "Was the window open?" something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room "Do you go out much in society?" well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if