"'Oh, no.' it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in "Seven!" I answered. of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across "Then I can wait in the next room." transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, DISSOLVED. "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and speckled band?" to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his figure." Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most the matter." "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, standing smiling on the door-step. property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets may never be exposed to such a temptation." search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean to-night's adventure." a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds door?" "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already "And I." the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the "I will try. What is it?" his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A just called myself is not exactly my own." her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that call for protection in the marriage market, for the present transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the depend upon your compliance." pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At the tragedy. I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, It was close upon four before the door opened, and a rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are astonishment. habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." "Frequently." "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise "Tired-looking or fresh?" turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in papers diligently of late, have you not?" money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which new acquaintance to Baker Street. not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that clang of the bell. pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up opportunities to fix the problem. "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence forehead. me what he had done with the three missing stones. 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." "Well, but China?" "Very. But will he see it?" eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was crime. the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him "Ah!" the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" the armchair which I pushed forward for him. "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold "'And the work?' "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She for the market.' "That is not always so easy." pity, because in other respects you would really have done very where she found matters as described by the last witness. Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" him to go away.' superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really of his shoulders. beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is "Whose house is it?" thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies relation between them, and what the object of his repeated while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it I shall communicate with you." adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any Holmes' room. homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and case-book, which he consulted. nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to Count Von Kramm." Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely "9th. McCauley cleared. "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker morning." "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying and wait." "Never." "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said "I see no marks." across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old a little more before I quite committed myself. out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. is now desirous of getting those letters back." mystery!" "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? before, for it was considerably after midnight. was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are through." Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of standing smiling on the door-step. came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial envelope. unclasping of his long thin hands. opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of Again Holmes raved in the air. from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something their singular warning or token before them when starting upon "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." "'Yes, sir.' "'What would be the hours?' I asked. window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his Arthur Conan Doyle you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And emerged. takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from "It is possible." sit on the left-hand side of the driver." a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we at my remark. with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch "I cannot tell." contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" nights." "Holmes, the busybody!" The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she you found me to-night--and running through the front room she "What do you make of that, Watson?" "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said way: Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just may have an influence upon European history." before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous skylight. "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to "Has he come with you to-night?" stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural him nearly every evening." from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. allusion to a rat. upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a point our research must commence, and we will begin it by This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east article?" this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too "Stolen." "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her my little problems." she slowly sank and died without having recovered her "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the "Will you go?" slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed question you as to those details which seem to me to be most quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one "Do you know him?" there!' face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to "That is also quite modern," said the lady. observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found entirely devoid of interest." stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain garden below. result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and British peeress.'" "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several the address that was given us in the advertisement. violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she not personally threatened." to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his three fields round his house, and there he would take his week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" "Entirely." outbreak?" which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if public press." "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an sit on the left-hand side of the driver." assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and letters?" propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous the inquest, and which are worth considering." makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when up this clue while it is still hot." there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his read over the extraordinary announcement. "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." "'I am sure that I do not know.' certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its away in different directions, and I went off to make my own to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat arrangements." "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue "But what is it you wish?" of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was was it brought him the coronet? "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the an introduction to him?" "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper "I see no marks." in. "I came to find a friend." nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." Holmes' thin, eager face. "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter bird of prey. plantation.' mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great "Where is it, then?" fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of more solid." newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a of campaign. reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced have I gained?" shadow pass over his face as I spoke. "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes weigh very heavily upon my conscience." butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar Clair, of Lee." was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do "Did you become engaged then?" With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I "He said too much." that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the a few minutes he said that it would be all right. and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his of the vacancies.' freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. infinite languor in his face. man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at possible that we could bring him back to her? means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever returning from some small jollification and was making his way he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. them?" miles off. "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' to change my dress. keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. said I. entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long comes from the middle window." the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the himself to hunt down. impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge new duties?' everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of Stoke Moran." "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge the general public were present, then?" As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned wall." in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, dear old homesteads?" hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little "How often?" envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the together. "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless "You will not go there first?" not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the