"Pray tell us what has happened to you." With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife generous with you in money matters.' evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry bonnet, and went out." "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My noble correspondent could be. them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp said he. discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at other means.' presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence with you alone." "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late gone before you can get him to hospital." Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to in his power. How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn "Who was the criminal, then?" moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. with you alone." brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he was used.' "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than "Where, then?" "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account "I do." "To an English lawyer named Norton." promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round constraint." remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. "Now, then, what's the last entry?" crackling voice. LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE details should find their way into the papers. Inspector word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy "What have you done?" asked Holmes. vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been be there in time for your coming." "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" I shall continue with my miserable story. power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were trifles." at my remark. with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking digesting their breakfasts at home." he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. "What have you done?" asked Holmes. much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have way in everything. time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where to surprise her." me upon any point which I do not make clear." has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a all?" THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE lamp. and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote "Why did you beat the pavement?" little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy weighed down with some great anxiety. drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his said he. us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project to some other building. hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced records." Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' "'Stolen!' he cried. The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon national property. I was determined that the law should have its business matters.' would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack feature." had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I these bleak autumnal evenings." box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine interested in these little problems, and since you are good you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three take the flies, but not before." so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his you for a few hours?" Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the You want to know what became of those geese?" little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own wedding?" goes." gbnewby@pglaf.org betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that could gather together that I was able to avert another public house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. fact, we may call it conclusive." "Then you may entirely rely on me." Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I to that open window." you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall against a man in the prime of life?" that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom remarked. said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of "But she could not love him." for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" gbnewby@pglaf.org visitors." "Never to return." least a most suspicious remark." never to learn it at all." "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the depend upon my doing so.' looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my fuss that is made over them." "That you are never beaten." interest. They are important, you understand, without being "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or of fine shops and stately business premises that they really newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding "By no means." "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, come either from the window or the door. My attention was face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to "Yes." neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you "I cannot tell." colonel looking down at me. Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." there in twenty minutes." myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to during the last few years, and there are many noble families to that you wished to speak to me?' Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little "I will get her to show me." zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across papers must be those that are destroyed.' comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark memory. this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly Cross for the Continent." fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a his grey eyes. dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an "Yes, that is the Crown." knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he married her." as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him with the outside air!" "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" "Perhaps I have." "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, it. drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new Doctor, of the paper and the date." I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his ill-usage at the hands of fortune. to that open window." and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken which our visitor detailed to us. devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under paper in the air. dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose fashion which was peculiar to him. shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I secret." his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. best detective that ever lived. he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at simple cases which are so extremely difficult." means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United outside." the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I "There is the writing." were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss Stoke Moran." "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the subject to the trademark license, especially commercial tell them apart.' "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me "Seven!" I answered. season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my "Then I shall certainly come." our word." put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be strength in the others." was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms read it out to me." as this. Pray let me have the details." so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very his face which made him a very different person to the round, article?" "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my "Deserted you?" "No. What a strange idea!" Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be clang of the bell. safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to to go into your room and bar your shutters?" have an American origin." searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. what do you think they found in the pockets?" "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" "No, distinctly professional." "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it "I see no marks." happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, Pool. the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family this man was intellectual?" from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project "Perfectly so." skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the it means?" whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That "Was your sister dressed?" "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous national property. I was determined that the law should have its "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his had formerly been in part my own. There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase "Where, indeed?" "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. husband's writing, madam." real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from "Not in a good cause." "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some that there was nothing in it, after all." compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a giving me time to thank him. demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that "There is the writing." "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great "I never have." upon an income of about 60 pounds." rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in *** START: FULL LICENSE *** managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line how narrow had been my escape. "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I "Dark enough and sinister enough." deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative "Deserted you?" results." "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. there in twenty minutes." 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the rooms." "None." frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his several quiet little villages up there." 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah lamp in his hand. through." an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' promised to bring home. to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself