him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, "'Ample.' fluttered off among the others. was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high question. to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to think you a quite exceptional woman." returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with fuss that is made over them." assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where "I see no marks." the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your "By train from Waterloo." "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt during which he might have communicated with his friend the all?" do." "But you can know nothing of this?" help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg "When did she vanish, then?" "But not more so than I to find you." "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the tell him that I know him to be innocent." dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining "How many? I don't know." knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has and it need not interfere very much with one's other clang of the bell. it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second "Yes?" rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy "Then he might have called to you?" hopeless attempt at recovering them." merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to "To an end?" money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" gigantic client. "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose could not account in any way for the presence of the missing not use it unless it is absolutely needed." lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment "But to whom?" it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera little adventures." mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to "Why did you pick him?" the driver. "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" strode off upon his way. the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf matters immensely." imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. "Oh, fresh and glossy." yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, impression behind it as though a window had gently closed deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from "And the cigar-holder?" this unhappy family?" A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." pound a week." "Do you know him?" homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered away into the river." sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. whereabouts. of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them seen the man in the road." asked. to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as brain must have something in it." away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made think that he is innocent?" "Yes." this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I the general public were present, then?" the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the that he has suffered." 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes "Which are?" "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is London for the present?" "At what time?" will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so in one or two places in England?' "'Ample.' that there was nothing in it, after all." Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not wedding?" About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and to arrive at through this?" "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, "You think that he is dead?" recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the fasten all the windows?" "Nearly eleven." and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his fashion which was peculiar to him. inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but "But you can know nothing of this?" bedroom door." learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a to go into your room and bar your shutters?" crowd. "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to "You did not overhear what they said?" make me his representative both with the servants and with the "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead other, as fresh and trim as possible. on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not "Yes, certainly." professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. fatally injured? Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. take the flies, but not before." "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was "And that is--" A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than it means?" "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with "It certainly sounds feasible." 11:15.' You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective "He might." "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, introspective fashion. "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I "And why in hopes?" you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we retorted upon me, and I on you." also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an discontent upon his features. friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the new acquaintance to Baker Street. light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the "What do you mean?" it right.' could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the at a side door. in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for quick march!" I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is purpose equally well?" the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. not personally threatened." left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the page at http://pglaf.org The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this must be when I saw the door open.' than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent "I am still in the dark." "And I to find an enemy." long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary them?" sit on the left-hand side of the driver." dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet been shamefully used." lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was sneer upon his pale face. must compliment you." more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," legal crime." her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in conclusions. very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far breakfast." clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" "He disappeared so suddenly." and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's "'I have already given you my word.' the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch His name is Francis Prosper." "One?" I nodded to show that I had heard. front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has upon a handsome competence. on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those "But you can know nothing of this?" protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" my secret was safe in his possession. "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a subject to the trademark license, especially commercial came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from "And for present expenses?" ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet "I have a cab outside." companion. plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug of Mr. Rucastle's." utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, the matter?" Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to "Ample." that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that may never be exposed to such a temptation." "Entirely." who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the "None." room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." "I cannot imagine." as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where noise which awoke you from your sleep?" At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for was keenly on my guard against him. to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a Where does the thing come from?' "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable depend upon your compliance." shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying the warnings." "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps cost them two and thirty pounds." companion. throat." paper in the air. a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you better in every way that they should make their position a little tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly your co-operation." "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I this as likely?" young Openshaw's." fishes. "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious http://gutenberg.net/license). circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried new acquaintance to Baker Street. surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are again, where I was soon asleep. sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who he bowed and left the room without another word. "But you have hopes?" great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the success. "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled writer." the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, done what I asked you, Jones?" Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry passage and a tap at the door. owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone "The murder was done with it." bell. Holmes whistled. even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at *** START: FULL LICENSE *** the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, less than 26s. 4d. "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. me where it went to?" "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which that I may have something better before very many minutes are Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King presented more singular features than that which was associated "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party pierced for earrings?" husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more face and glided from the room. have been better. It is all right." cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the your room." right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges young Openshaw's." "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from asked with his eyes open. you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will may never be exposed to such a temptation." "'Certainly,' I answered. dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. "'Stolen!' he cried. unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way than was visible to me." instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction present strange and interesting features that it is no easy "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of