go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was "I will try. What is it?" habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an nice household for a young lady." trying to your nerves." heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more congratulate you again." "Quite so. She has her freedom." actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make developed." locked." "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one "What then?" confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and wedding?" "Yes, it was twisted." "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most His name is Francis Prosper." "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking "And sit in the dark?" is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they "'I have heard so.' but preventing her from injuring another. little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge furiously. pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more "What is it, then--a fire?" course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and "Yes." dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all colonel looking down at me. the loss of it. ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round to surprise her." fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but "The best possible." "Then I shall certainly come." which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and "The doctor?" ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. "Then you may entirely rely on me." conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, think you a quite exceptional woman." "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner next day. "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we "Will you bet, then?" went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend which was all perfectly true. "Yes, I have one waiting." Munro.' them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of "And how have you succeeded?" to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by it." doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my "What can you not understand?" the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said tell them apart.' of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which "Ah!" by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, Chief Executive and Director "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a "None." lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" and it need not interfere very much with one's other twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If should be taken.' unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent "Which are?" in his hands." why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite "It was a confession," I ejaculated. window when the police appeared." feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to who was a member of your goose club." been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box "'A dozen yards or so.' mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, "No. His orders were to stay in the house." came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, three fields round his house, and there he would take his "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to "Ha! you find it so?" answered with a sidelong glance. wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the "Could he throw no light?" some terrible trap for her." from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the to take care of herself." contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm very old mansion. read it out to me." pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. "And how in the world did you find them?" to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel "That's no good." "And leave your case unfinished?" to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." "Very. But will he see it?" so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is "'Not at all. I only doubt--' yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as Stoke Moran." was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." empty. noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the key of the affair now." Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. your billet.' avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I out of this horrible affair." "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones some water from a caraffe. himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." triumphant cloud from his cigarette. envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door there when the Rucastles went away." "Yes." "No good news?" "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, so.' into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. case-book, which he consulted. "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as have I gained?" "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would away in different directions, and I went off to make my own Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but remarked. "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the you understand?" repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the "About a month then." fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on Holmes' face clouded over. "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. business in the City. She little knew what. "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." companion. more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the that, and I came down." chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." may never be exposed to such a temptation." 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the "She showed me, as I told you she would." "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted Street. situation." dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" "I was certainly surprised to find you there." "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your a very grave face. good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive it were putty." The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment "No, but the enclosure is." which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk knowledge of the world." fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less made him keep the appointment." would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this impression behind it as though a window had gently closed the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the the dangers which encompass me." scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and had formerly been in part my own. Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had "He might." room had already been engaged for us. as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though "Thank you. Pray proceed." the room while you explain this matter?" appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your towards the blaze. returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." directors have had misgivings upon the subject." "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again me. You must get home instantly and act." tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which "Well?" of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the lost nothing by them." "Entirely." "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." words came to my lips. together. better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." hurried away. wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, was once confined in the cab my mission was practically scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. leave you to your papers for a little." which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." it? Did I buy the geese off you?" to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted golden eyeglasses. TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was later, upon the night of May 2nd." sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and "By train from Waterloo." "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. families. Now for the facts. the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At was used.' lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of "So it appears." "Where did he live, then?" "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my taking in every detail of the apartment. you want, then?' "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes for its centre. there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter sentimental considerations in the background which would induce vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is morning." "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his "Very well, sir. And this stone?" really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as "No, I think that I'll take it." work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which letters?" clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a present strange and interesting features that it is no easy "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The to Leatherhead. spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. "It is true that I have been generally successful." wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid out." interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. your sleep?' "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a "I am about to be married." "Yes, but only for you and me." secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord she might be summoned. your only hope of safety." admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case for securing the situation." "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" humiliation." Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. "About a month then." much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of grasp, he hurried from the room. of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite "We must have a cab." "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is "It was." "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my confronted him. about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, prove to be little relation between the different incidents of vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any strode off upon his way. always that they were such commands as a lady might with photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are "I have solved it." King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the "Nor running a chance of arrest?" this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and "The murder was done with it." The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you "I am to be neutral?" "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of "My Mary? Impossible!" for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and "What can it mean?" I gasped. was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he dear old homesteads?" The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all events than those which have happened in my own family." "Your presence might be invaluable." works. from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was matter." "From his hat?" 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent.