on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at your billet.' clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather absolutely follow my advice in every respect." which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say forebodings. 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a "Nothing." "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had For additional contact information: "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." third from London." other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest "I cannot say that I have." and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner is a common subject for conversation. "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time "Did you become engaged then?" remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know "My dear Holmes!" finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was window when the police appeared." inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy papers must be those that are destroyed.' "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the brandy and water within his reach. "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this "That is not always so easy." lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security best detective that ever lived. by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is again." rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the young Openshaw's." of Mr. Rucastle's." "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the to have that photograph." Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, "'I have already given you my word.' my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped hardly wander." when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. breakfast and whispered something to her husband. "On your arm?" tail." I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who certainly not very gracious." bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to few hundred pounds.' the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite me where it went to?" astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white prisoner's face. though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and your co-operation." "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. him to go away.' "By train from Waterloo." me." edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" corner of the building. "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter excitement. but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal The telegram which we eventually received came late one night "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I Dr. Gregory B. Newby examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend "And I say east," said my patient. this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes how narrow had been my escape. "'Which dealer's?' perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was minor matters until to-morrow." States. "No, finished." "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was "Nothing." trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what danger is over." hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each very morning of my second wedding." "'Certainly not.' opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous fashion which was peculiar to him. finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you really the only notable feature about the thing." was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very friends, not even his own brother. more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in affair. and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his and have this put in the evening papers." de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed wedding?" him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few "'Not at all. I only doubt--' common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it "How can you tell that?" do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I is a common subject for conversation. dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the sofa. This way, please!" that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and despaired of." any more." giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that absolutely follow my advice in every respect." "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be as he remarks, very much against the son." grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and the driver. my special province." said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your call you and give you the chance." that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." then?" or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such should be so warm over such a trifle." sofa. This way, please!" go back?" pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind before the coroner and the police-court." bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and my room." I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I "'There is a drive, then?' did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, "Witness: I must still refuse. advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do sentimental considerations in the background which would induce the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." down from London to inquire more deeply into it." feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or burst out into a roar of laughter. down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather lids now and glanced across at his visitor. "In heaven's name, what for?" been deceived." her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." "I would give my fortune to have them back." next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' the south-west, I see." "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, shadow pass over his face as I spoke. interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I to his chemical studies. deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal shaken than I had ever seen him. Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent "Quite so. She has her freedom." British peeress.'" gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not unkempt, staring out at me. them?" envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's other means.' "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the you understand?" 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, Leave Paddington by the 11:15." young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet unclasping of his long thin hands. "Yes." before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and "No, thank goodness, she did not." to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under "Why did you pick him?" yards of it?' "Could he throw no light?" have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court "'You doubt its value?' he asked. though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. the nursery. girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly dates and names. He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its hand, madam?" the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the "Just look it up, then." chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our "Perhaps we may make them less so." fluttered off among the others. client, rising. the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed have established a very serious case against the son of the "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and the coronet at all injured?" weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, mystery may be cleared along those lines." I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. past. in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my "I am armed." Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to know what is wrong with it.' completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable test if we have an answer to our advertisement." look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this "Was the window open?" Henry Baker is a member." "Come in!" said Holmes. "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas seen the man in the road." the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at just called myself is not exactly my own." happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could From what you have told me I think that it is possible that of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' this poor creature." thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have of this gang." "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm must be when I saw the door open.' against a man in the prime of life?" princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I "Texas, I think." remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce "She walked into the breakfast-room." and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on "Do you go out much in society?" fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your hurried by. To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in events than those which have happened in my own family." on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to seven miles from Eyford Station.' then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge own family. "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his "No, I had a dozen." Farm upon the left." events, Mr. Windibank!" "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted allusion to a rat. "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is particular state visit http://pglaf.org and capable of preserving a secret.' few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect outsides of the windows. something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me "I am sure." "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor troubles have been weighing upon his mind. that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. observed. no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to overpowering excitement and concern. means taking possession of that which another person has a prior it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I "And Irene Adler?" "What of the rat, then?" McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. face and glided from the room. every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the several quiet little villages up there." go from here to the Strand." "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for "And it is--" The King stared at him in amazement. "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for she might be summoned. paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," the stable lane now." importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was "Her father is very rich?" it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on happened." shoulder. "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the place, I think that there is good ground to think that the the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay "I shall be delighted." yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the recover the gem." unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the