"My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out bell. Holmes whistled. "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. never to learn it at all." "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a one of them." which we had just quitted. reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of "Nearly eleven." Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. sooner or later she must fall a victim. "Nor running a chance of arrest?" writing, and yet I know it well." "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll appointment with me for six o'clock?" "My stepfather's business papers." Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me guilty parties." "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of society." "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you prisoner's face. "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence observed. "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a and capable of preserving a secret.' pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else been shamefully used." surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. "Not I." surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the look dissatisfied." always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not get her out of the way." perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, "'Then let me do so?' address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, them?" would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but "But of what society?" note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn without a word or a look. The events in question occurred in the early days of my followed. earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, despair." to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. http://gutenberg.net/license). the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but "Yes." "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the little adventures." parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have meant." "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been "You have carte blanche." "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear "The King of Scandinavia." gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow "Come in!" said Holmes. SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish "The rest you will leave in our hands." when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. of." allusion to a rat. humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my really the only notable feature about the thing." had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest upon the white wrist. night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking there in twenty minutes." unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was upon the white wrist. it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, "Where to?" which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which see a sister of mine apply for." http://www.gutenberg.net gone. You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the all?" deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. could gather together that I was able to avert another public "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" "And I." "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the "An accident, I presume?" 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern happened." undoubtedly my uncle's." time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened I shall communicate with you." "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some such attractions and accomplishments?' to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came "Never to return." "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. "You were travelling in the States?" "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not "You horrify me!" distance from the station, and there we found the young lady the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses crowd. address. "No, my brougham is waiting." he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New it." to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have think, you have already met." 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear never came back." down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That brought there to personate someone, and the real person is look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out sofa. This way, please!" simple cases which are so extremely difficult." promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are Again Holmes raved in the air. eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to back alive. between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on conclusions. fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear "It missed him, then?" thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion putting in the horse. slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, pity, because in other respects you would really have done very and it need not interfere very much with one's other sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, "'Yes, sir.' "Come in!" said he. come either from the window or the door. My attention was save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, "Only as much as we can deduce." retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered said I. there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. photograph?" am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out as he folded up the epistle. lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part bill, which interests me deeply." upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect use an arc-and-compass breastpin." "'I am sure that I do not know.' "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my conclusions. struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." did not hear it also.' them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of suspect him." about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, never to learn it at all." Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" attention." actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your from the brougham. As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons "Yes, all." scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy until night should bring an explanation. certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's straightened it out again. "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than companion imperturbably. came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. "How can you tell that?" so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said works. See paragraph 1.E below. first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has hard-headed British jury." into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." "What will you say?" "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered "But to whom?" "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first test if we have an answer to our advertisement." take the flies, but not before." passage and a tap at the door. business." Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round "It surprised me." seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand tell him that I know him to be innocent." as he folded up the epistle. Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in said he. at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," For additional contact information: down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to his grey eyes. The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting nonsense.' could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, "About a month then." "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. "One of his hands." "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an disappearance of these gems?" and files of the old papers, following the future career of every But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If "Yes." that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for "But your client--" "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set happened." "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his his cane at the bell-pull. "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite 'I should be able to look after that for you.' volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no strong reason behind." "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how is acting for the best. to a light-house. "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias and shall probably return to London by the evening train." belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing helping a boy to put up the shutters. Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm fattened it expressly for you.' One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was good-night and bustled off upon her way. she to prove their authenticity?" given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that man. I know him from the photograph." "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. "No, finished." "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he "One?" not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner "Why did you pick him?" "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson lumber-room." "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he appointment with me for six o'clock?" not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. "Oh, yes, easily." for securing the situation." purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us know all about it," he snarled. sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country your billet.' "Married! When?" tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but "Certainly." John Swain, of St. Augustine. of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a "So I am. Very much so." "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, "And that is--" - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very happened." "But we can't all be." passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old returned to France?" events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great some mystery and the punishment of some crime." "'Is 4 pounds a week.' lost nothing by them." tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one weapon." Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his late!' she to prove their authenticity?" "Then what has happened to him?" "But I am all in the dark." the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between but preventing her from injuring another. direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was "And sit in the dark?" "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He business in the City. She little knew what. "I say that I have solved it." and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other orange pips. been deceived." Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was young Openshaw's."