our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now "Certainly." reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, skylight. silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, ways including including checks, online payments and credit card trifles." snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It nights." before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. But Holmes shook his head gravely. dates and names. Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my over with notes and figures. marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He you." a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what "'What then?' I asked. that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of galvanised. occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' voice, changing her seat as requested. must be when I saw the door open.' should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a "It's nothing of the kind." "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment "About a month then." look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, his forehead." the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was recall any case within my experience which looked at the first I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your bed dies. Does not that strike you?" to you." happened." III. the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, where Mr. Fordham shows you.' prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary imbecility!" he cried. following enigmatical notices: Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I "Was your sister dressed?" "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were "But how will you look?" waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural drawing your inferences." them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of "Yes." He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend "Was she in good spirits?" been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him ways including including checks, online payments and credit card lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I "But it has twice been burgled." us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I works. See paragraph 1.E below. late!' "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how not within a twentieth part of the market price." "Where did you address your letters, then?" "It is to him that this trophy belongs." scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it there in twenty minutes." were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with started for the Temple to see my husband. impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking weigh very heavily upon my conscience." "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or be there in time for your coming." knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. do." "Where did he live, then?" offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up "'Yes, it was gone.' "'Ample.' people don't know." "No, distinctly professional." that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in "It is possible." so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is charged with?" permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or "Upon what point?" profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which "That is easily got." possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' "Yes." of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter about. yet." "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door of a light. "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the "We were both in the photograph." "Married! When?" and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I "And that is--" on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted and shall probably return to London by the evening train." the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a "Ample." "What have you to say now?" was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That "Was she in good spirits?" hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your "Then what has happened to him?" "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" "My opinion is in no way altered." listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a that you saw all that I did." impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out "I don't believe it." making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are arrested. You then--" "BALLARAT." doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer shoulder. "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just the nursery. This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill "That's no good." walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in my room." We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, strong and stiff." "But you were on a friendly footing?" shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend fashion which was peculiar to him. "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." that threaten you." "Pray be precise as to details," said he. By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My "It surprised me." "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he detained." "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? must be when I saw the door open.' like gravel from a pit.' you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' But Holmes shook his head gravely. set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for "That sounds a little paradoxical." "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged "But what will you do?" observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the long narrative. "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine me, and I could not think that his explanation of the breakfast?" "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow "No bad?" to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while man. I know him from the photograph." "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the "I don't believe it." showing my impatience. me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or "What can you not understand?" there were so many in the whole country as were brought together active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my the inquest, and which are worth considering." Munro.' "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before possible that we could bring him back to her? "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. "Witness: It was. on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. chemical work which was so dear to him. behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, all that?" examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the "But of what society?" "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it "That is it on the dressing-table." and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. your room." up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And learned something! Where are the gems?" of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite ways of our fellow-men." convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell fat-encircled eyes. successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about but preventing her from injuring another. looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to triumphant cloud from his cigarette. battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which "I have a cab outside." confronted him. have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the "Pray do so." "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's the date of his supposed suicide." "That was it, sir." "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations "Then, as to money?" his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' since then to throw any light upon what became of him." Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and "You have it, sir, just as it happened." have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last behind me. one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" "'Yes, it was gone.' whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a may have an influence upon European history." inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my is now desirous of getting those letters back." the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, absorbing." to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. considering the formidable letters which were received by himself There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear "One horse?" interjected Holmes. at home. "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do "And you thought he was pulled back?" loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a "One?" listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, politicians who had been sent down from the North. "One of his hands." "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat south, for the country is more deserted there." other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and along the entire front of the house, with three long windows "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" "And how in the world did you find them?" "But your client--" been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. compunction about shooting them down." be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at been anything against him. He had for years been known as a morning." conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my against a man in the prime of life?" "I never have." "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called "What I expected to see." presented which may be striking and bizarre without being "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott to tackle the facts." a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one particular state visit http://pglaf.org "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell to affect your life." teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a "I see no marks." any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, "And how did he make his money?" which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were "He might." the ceiling. of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly "'And what are they worth?' I asked. "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your "'Is 4 pounds a week.' finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, "And Irene Adler?" "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of rose-bushes. And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, anything to do with the matter?" and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. brain must have something in it." deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be the so-precious time, but come!' "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father noble correspondent could be. Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a indeed happy." whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what "And I say east," said my patient. his grey eyes. enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, row." photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been writer." "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." "How are you getting on?" very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of interests were the same as his." I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of "What do you mean?" "Do you go out much in society?" that you saw all that I did." spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. "And why in hopes?" A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the "You saw the ventilator, too?" determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If characteristics, but those are the more obvious."