of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until just ask you whether you had heard it.' correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train coat-tails." figure." upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between became a certainty. Edgeware Road. town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." you?' of it with the greatest attention. money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, matter over." problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon brandy and water within his reach. prepare for the new role I have to play." us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a child?' for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." appointment with me for six o'clock?" "'Where to?' an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the in darkness. "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, to his chemical studies. "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa horse could go." "Here?" "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention "And did you observe any change in her then?" as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you like gravel from a pit.' you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try disappearance of these gems?" putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the "What have you done?" asked Holmes. moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few handed it to him. "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a "And why in hopes?" so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with "How often?" been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. lumber-room." cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance singular points about the case. What did the police think of the He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. "None." had died away into the silence from which it rose. them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until and all of them with the keenest interest. a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a "Why? What do you mean?" to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. "Two days later this same performance was gone through under Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back "'Certainly,' I answered. thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door to miss it." job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought problems help me to do so." really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had visitors." "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the really the only notable feature about the thing." chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in take the flies, but not before." and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. man. "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in 11:15.' which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. to me. male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the your room." "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. you?" side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted prison!" from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast Henry Baker is a member." salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his been deceived." "Get out!" said he. "They are typewritten," I remarked. your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was "What then?" him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended kind enough to tell me what I should do." took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me something of him before." thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client "His face fell immediately. "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his have one." knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me cigar and let me expound." "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his it right.' gbnewby@pglaf.org again on its way. stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my call the police, let the police find what they can.' before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by "I have seen the police." Again Holmes raved in the air. is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of "Seven!" I answered. bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem call for it in person on Monday morning.' the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." "It was an hour's good drive." must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you the one as in the other." him, that man would not have given me such complete information little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was "I beg pardon." Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: is so. I know all about McCarthy." ways including including checks, online payments and credit card "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms "Quite so." day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." "Who was the criminal, then?" sit on the left-hand side of the driver." across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the are, and they are waiting for us." something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." "You'll never persuade me to believe that." going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four records." The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the Stoke Moran." Mary, has deserted me." ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke hour." from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you "She will not sell." without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." "How did he come?" "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as there were one or two details which were new to me. But the "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my "And on what day did he meet his death?" paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, wall." clanging. "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. "Very well, sir. And this stone?" accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and "None." effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to crackling voice. "Yes. He waved his hands." will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a village inn over there?" the bed, and you in that chair." "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save since then to throw any light upon what became of him." see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I "Precisely." taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a cigar and let me expound." "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place I have it here in my museum." wedding?" returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my "My stepfather's business papers." subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This point in the dark hollow of his hand. direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and in a friendly supper." corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." "A confidential servant?" extraordinary contortions. the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at a suggestive one." "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in "Where, indeed?" "And why in hopes?" "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into behind me. "In San Francisco, a year ago." "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He compunction about shooting them down." the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one ways including including checks, online payments and credit card no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't "Yes, that is the Crown." Street. the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' "Not I." gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, "Where did you address your letters, then?" age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It "'And what are they worth?' I asked. "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I mysterious end." "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while it." "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he tell them apart.' closely." treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never crowd. young Openshaw's." he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the mystery." rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. "No, I think that I'll take it." "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of get the tickets." "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. "I would give my fortune to have them back." waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning several quiet little villages up there." an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other "And now?" He raised his hand. "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he "You are all wrong." am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old strong and stiff." often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we "But of what society?" paper in the air. strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper III. "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a do.' with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously "You forget that I know nothing about it." I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as way in everything. breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" Clair, of Lee." "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the all-comprehensive glances. broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger some place of shelter and let the county police know what has electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering you in yours." from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a business at Coburg Square is serious." and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed there!' said I. hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence lips." the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six "You were travelling in the States?" "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. "They are typewritten," I remarked. known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few may have an influence upon European history." red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or himself to hunt down. "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the the inquest, and which are worth considering." with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint "It must be recovered." brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. "Yes, certainly." "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, been anything against him. He had for years been known as a bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St.