send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against "I guessed as much." envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the the one as in the other." place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" quickly through a disagreeable task. preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. during that time.' his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he "What are they?" burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT matter." younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," approach us with offers to donate. "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads nice household for a young lady." up this clue while it is still hot." only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, "I will do it." "Precisely." however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As there when the Rucastles went away." right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I empty. hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A over here." a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so what do you think they found in the pockets?" she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, chance at all." for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of delirious. all-comprehensive glances. complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood "Pray do so." o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." shall use the carriage to-night." company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who events, Mr. Windibank!" and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put "Really! You surprise me." may have an influence upon European history." photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." there has been an enclosure here!" asked. were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not your sleep?' the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the over part of the map. "What do you read?" be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, mysterious end." recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, "And I say east," said my patient. "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful as this. Pray let me have the details." grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may have not had my rubber." "And it is--" "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would chemical work which was so dear to him. my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." "'About the same.' trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." "What, then, did Peterson do?" his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I The King stared at him in amazement. above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready from you?" most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. redistribution. Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you appeared upon the scene." idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the fire. You quite follow me?" a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that threw himself down with his face to the pillow. horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless "Thank you. And your address?" "I see many objections to any such theory." upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge joking. journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest you." near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I the running down." across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the woman." in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice then?" eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every "Nor running a chance of arrest?" Stoke Moran." was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through me. wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have friend's singular character. It was close upon four before the door opened, and a by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of room. You can understand that this register and diary may implicate introspective fashion. "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a "He said that you could solve anything." of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and "'About the same.' my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, "I would give my fortune to have them back." thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises the dangers which encompass me." office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our "What! Had he lost his wife?" which was all perfectly true. seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given not fit the lock." this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder "'Stolen!' he cried. "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the 11:15.' "But how could you guess what the motive was?" see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by Arthur Conan Doyle young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the because she had spent so short a time in this country that she Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had article?" my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the tear off another piece?' accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an "I answered that I had not. subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several how narrow had been my escape. reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots it." strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 "Well." stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the fait accompli?" considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and to tackle the facts." exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. "But I have heard all that you have heard." "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, green of the new foliage. therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." out." married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be "Nearly eleven." "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing "Yes." present strange and interesting features that it is no easy yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' the address that was given us in the advertisement. through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the "'Yes, sir.' donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate "Did you observe the colour?" mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson the bed, and you in that chair." can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my strong reason behind." and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. wedding?" Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man "Two days later this same performance was gone through under to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and "Absolutely?" matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he "But his left-handedness." way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As the so-precious time, but come!' and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society "How do you know, then?" showing my impatience. not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" "Where is it, then?" old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. "'I am sure if I had known--' crime. "And how did he make his money?" whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have bird of prey. were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a "Very well, sir. And this stone?" Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of fuss that is made over them." "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I "On Monday." sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all "'Yes.' introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to in a very precise fashion." corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again "The best possible." "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an "Well, but China?" yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought annoyance, but no jest. your billet.' "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned undoubtedly my uncle's." fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her better grown goose." in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a in him." Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that down in his armchair and closing his eyes. papers." man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face "Get out!" said he. unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the room. where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who frequently gained my first real insight into the character of "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the forbidden door. "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a "Upon what point?" "Ah!" confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't strength of mind to control. making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore gbnewby@pglaf.org outside. interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be weigh very heavily upon my conscience." building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, "Nothing?" "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been "Well?" Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as "He said too much." fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. "Because he was handy and would come cheap." foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project "But I am all in the dark." and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt "Was there a secret marriage?" Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort 'I should be able to look after that for you.' enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free "But we can't all be." stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind that, and I came down." room. to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." indeed happy." has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the "What, then, did Peterson do?" 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental