hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so "But how?" laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley "Nothing." "At what time?" out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son "Were they all fastened this morning?" province." opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. bare slabs of marble. 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm "Then the page we have seen--" "Look there!" said he. he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of "I guessed as much." I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite enter Dr. Roylott's room." behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from said he at last. he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I "We were both in the photograph." you." "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias returning from some small jollification and was making his way the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, rat could hardly pass through." he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened once more. provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will behind me. "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the answer." 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and spark where all is dark to me." things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. which our visitor detailed to us. the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit the coronet at all injured?" met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner letters?" he. reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, "Entirely." was it brought him the coronet? "Only as much as we can deduce." here and I will read it to you: besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See them?" "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my article?" "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' of the vacancies.' "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said I nodded again. reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper You want to know what became of those geese?" dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his country, and eventually married, without anyone having a his face which made him a very different person to the round, done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' himself in a perplexing position. could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a "Was your sister dressed?" Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, you?" I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said "I do." "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second "About a month then." down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged remarked. "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. Holmes. Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open "Come in!" said Holmes. headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock "I cannot imagine." mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their burst out into a roar of laughter. "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no II. pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official "Holmes, the busybody!" glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying possible that we could bring him back to her? reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke "When did she vanish, then?" chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the read over the extraordinary announcement. "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said there." familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been Mrs. Toller serenely. mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" public press." his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions "Ah!" said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From she has been waylaid. There has been no result." "Seven!" I answered. straightened it out again. either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the this poor creature." lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part "'I have heard so.' little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he joking. lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of cost them two and thirty pounds." doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be forehead. "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of "Never." fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into "And I." am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever whatever might befall. "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both The police have openly confessed that they can at present make the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with The telegram which we eventually received came late one night I held the little printed slip to the light. to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you Munro.' was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as "'There is a drive, then?' wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I that he has suffered." "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that "Dr. Becher's." or in danger--" I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into introspective fashion. could not account in any way for the presence of the missing might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking few hundred pounds.' face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and "Won't it ring?" I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your "I think that I had better go, Holmes." "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." one which it was hard to resist. returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and helping a boy to put up the shutters. few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a "Where is it, then?" Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the Holmes rather sternly. didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in the very morning of the wedding." America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental over here." "Quite so. She has her freedom." and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His recall any case within my experience which looked at the first to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. nice household for a young lady." "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. "No, but the enclosure is." less than 26s. 4d. next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, instincts rose up against that laugh. been anything against him. He had for years been known as a pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to business." said Mr. Holder. "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an crowd. impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down "So I am. Very much so." and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, even of instruction." had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with said he, "my real name is James Ryder." o'clock is it?" eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. "And that is--" at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what I am not easy in my mind about them." cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be bled considerably." we went to search for him, face downward in a little and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always furiously. also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the "On the contrary, this is the right side." without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that "What do you mean?" annoyance, but no jest. with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit 'please.'" respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" "My private note-paper." answered with a sidelong glance. three of the beryls in it, was missing. such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the "Nor running a chance of arrest?" We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my "Nor running a chance of arrest?" "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich "Yes." business at Coburg Square is serious." "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said You can understand that this register and diary may implicate business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria "It looks newer than the other things?" "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it "Then he might have called to you?" I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a the coronet in his hand?" had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were "Not yet." yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a "That was it, sir." square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire eavesdroppers?' "And on what day did he meet his death?" action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no "That is it on the dressing-table." And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, "And now?" I asked. "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of existence." "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof "It is very kind of you." "Witness: It was. difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting "No, finished." lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." there!' smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, not come at once?" it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little fattened it expressly for you.' "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the of note-paper. It read in this fashion: scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still you for a few hours?" Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the From what you have told me I think that it is possible that