his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I Edgeware Road. very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. became a certainty. your bag." wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled "I came to find a friend." "And your mother is alive?" case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and "Then, as to money?" therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' hour?' sound at heart." with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the London for the present?" enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out invisible to me," I remarked. walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of noting anything else of interest. on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." "No." however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, in a friendly supper." "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." "At what time?" "Very. But will he see it?" which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of daring than any effort of the imagination." A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack use an arc-and-compass breastpin." "In San Francisco, a year ago." look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it vanished into the darkness. Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my Eyford at 11:15.' walking." "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon "None." "So it appears." "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in these bleak autumnal evenings." "And that is--" previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to ran thus: steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, 'please.'" direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in cheerful." A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the My friend smiled. and inquire as to the address." backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I "When did she vanish, then?" "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle note?" "Certainly, madam." "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded his wife has ceased to love him." few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of written. "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one Surrey." it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was are windows in it, of course?" screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I young Openshaw's." like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were door?" Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did secret." "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** "I see many objections to any such theory." question," said Holmes, smiling. this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his keep the flames under. the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I "Game for a morning drive?" "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's noble correspondent could be. this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to "I should like to see him very much." prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, this unhappy family?" "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch "I cannot imagine." subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that "How often?" WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from Dr. Gregory B. Newby planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began "'You doubt its value?' he asked. "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be the Friday. Was it to be in church?" hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. and effective." "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight once more. "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must an introduction to him?" friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened skylight. Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged that I am arrested." listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very gigantic client. week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so just ask you whether you had heard it.' that "Why did you pick him?" "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, derbies." action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly "And who is her maid?" the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is humiliation." hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between had formerly been in part my own. orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was Countess of Morcar's?" believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man residence of the great financier. glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the figure." the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him retorted upon me, and I on you." southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest sofa. This way, please!" already referred to. electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and "I am to be neutral?" her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, clanging. Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous "Why, it's a dummy," said he. well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had congenial hunt. clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek the roots. "Not particularly." south, for the country is more deserted there." "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a "Can I be of assistance?" been shamefully used." The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the "To an English lawyer named Norton." standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said crackling voice. Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have points to suicide?" entirely lost his self-respect." Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the fluttered off among the others. despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain "Because he was handy and would come cheap." attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect do." the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong "Then the page we have seen--" social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a "'What are you doing there?' he asked. "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save "Yes?" "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The 'I should be able to look after that for you.' himself. had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, been anything against him. He had for years been known as a It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a washing it down with a long draught of water. chill to my heart. unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy power." electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my may never be exposed to such a temptation." the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her "And how in the world did you find them?" Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might and laid it on the table. grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated Clair, of Lee." and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the Holmes rather sternly. possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people possible that we could bring him back to her? so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the tell me that you intended to go into harness." been able to understand it, in a very few words. "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his in darkness. shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose unkempt, staring out at me. "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save "I will, Miss Turner." "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" it." propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney "Was he the only applicant?" beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I crime." observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may "Just look it up, then." room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. in his power. strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless when you have done it." "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For rooms." better grown goose." had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has outbreak?" last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would "No." "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had himself to hunt down. "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of most interesting one." "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" "How on earth--" first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note it were putty." room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and "We were both in the photograph." 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my have an American origin." "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just "Was the window open?" "Breckinridge is his name." Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. and files of the old papers, following the future career of every to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He to-night?" I asked. "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the "But you have hopes?" "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, "About a month then." least a fellow-countryman. to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no wedding?" "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they "'I am sure if I had known--' "I will get her to show me." in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the