which I could not give. He asked for Alice. particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant License. You must require such a user to return or acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so singular points about the case. What did the police think of the this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian "Yes, the wine-cellar." "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice that the gas is not laid on in his house?" across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." in my life." "And I to find an enemy." instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We "Yes, at the mines." Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' society." course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in was it brought him the coronet? its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily despair." fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who call for protection in the marriage market, for the present cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on "'Tell me all about it,' said I. "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I washing it down with a long draught of water. reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might examination of the premises, but without finding anything which breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me seem to you to be relevant or not." "Can I be of assistance?" it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for memory. triumphant cloud from his cigarette. With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of that before taking the final step I should like to submit the unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in "You think so, too?" fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, it right.' it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the away in different directions, and I went off to make my own compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," "Where, indeed?" hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the became a certainty. His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural could not account in any way for the presence of the missing have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means pressing in one house as in another. to miss it." adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be at home. Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my nights." the date of his supposed suicide." the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He washing it down with a long draught of water. "You saw the ventilator, too?" "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which Holmes' thin, eager face. us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for "'What, the red-headed man?' man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very giving me time to thank him. accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I "The knees of his trousers." "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had he died? "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I begin with, and I had not got mine yet." with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, walking." "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the anything to do with the matter?" the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I point our research must commence, and we will begin it by "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, my room." "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a useful material for showing traces. The double line a little "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the a suggestive one." "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many words came to my lips. stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, "You don't mind breaking the law?" really the only notable feature about the thing." feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at "'In my own bureau.' husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked up this clue while it is still hot." I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She think that he is innocent?" "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one situation." "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down touch that coronet?' "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." "Not in a good cause." have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took undoubtedly my uncle's." for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." "Well?" borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; then?" speckled band?" it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me entirely lost his self-respect." "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. was keenly on my guard against him. woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has was a loud and authoritative tap. Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the "Very murderous indeed." blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than opened a pocket-book and took out a note. gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be "I would give my fortune to have them back." turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which constraint." right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly "I cannot as yet see any connection." in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his galvanised. "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, "No. What a strange idea!" my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said "I fear not." "It is half-past ten now." strength of mind to control. leaning back in his chair. out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in "Where did he live, then?" routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, tell them apart.' "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab works. See paragraph 1.E below. of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the but preventing her from injuring another. "Eh? What was that?" and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a was it brought him the coronet? may never be exposed to such a temptation." "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." passage and a tap at the door. Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. these bleak autumnal evenings." "What! You do not mean bodies?" The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. do.' WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she "Perhaps I have." chambers. that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she "And why in hopes?" "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." eat it." an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could "Yes, but only for you and me." "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end be there in time for your coming." yards of it?' Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is "Very murderous indeed." "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. that you saw all that I did." "How are you getting on?" "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis what I may call a really hard day's work." one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three "What I expected to see." story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the "Where, then?" you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, "Yes." took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making coroner's jury." circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two there is a decided draught." The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at vague figure huddled up in the darkness. "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I triumphant cloud from his cigarette. always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked "'Certainly not.' do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For hand, madam?" another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." them?" He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, acquaintance?" "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic security.' The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my cheerful." what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, already referred to. recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for "Your French gold?" Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is village inn over there?" the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. was already answered. brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a "Yes, at the mines." carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the paper in the air. presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at over here." "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful lectures into a series of tales." reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." other lovers by making love himself." man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the once more for Briony Lodge. encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. my special province." there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from "'I have already given you my word.' about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his to tell." making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little next day. God! What an exposure! What can I do?" as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' hard-headed British jury." The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the "And the murderer?" "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he showing my impatience. knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs intimate personal affairs in this public manner." it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's "She will not sell." society." before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open possible that we could bring him back to her? "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they was feeling which was the fattest.' like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my Farm upon the left." one of them." him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and taking in every detail of the apartment. whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming "Were they all fastened this morning?" away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when his face. Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing like gravel from a pit.' "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most miles off. case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut so far?" a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among