position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the heavily into it. thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been "At the wedding breakfast." surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, "Two days later this same performance was gone through under nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole his wife has ceased to love him." snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. "No bad?" man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his "So I have heard." as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a as this. Pray let me have the details." the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he laugh and put his lips to my ear. done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly reach." practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It that?' rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I said I. as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. "When did it break out?" outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in opened a pocket-book and took out a note. considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this if only as a check to my own memory." "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss "Your sister is dead, then?" fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to gone. on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a that?' the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. subject to the trademark license, especially commercial The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and "Stoke Moran?" said he. "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the gone. "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the "Indeed! Whose, then?" He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent woman who has had her own way to make in the world. he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey "That is also quite modern," said the lady. to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." "You are hungry," I remarked. "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do present." bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's death." a very grave face. which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have "And your father? Did you tell him?" money should be paid at once.' disappearance of these gems?" would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and had no one to advise her at such a crisis." "And how did you find out?" shoulder. no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his appointment with me for six o'clock?" "My last client of the sort was a king." idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." when you have done it." "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the lids now and glanced across at his visitor. License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small your only hope of safety." "And when will you call?" To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some Lee, in the county of Kent." music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes "Pray do so." thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an noting anything else of interest. in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" colour had been driven from his face. terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to "Get out!" said he. importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and to tell." places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a go from here to the Strand." as he folded up the epistle. smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't "The gentleman I describe." I think that I could be of assistance to you." "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. him and tried to hold him back. this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that any more." sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to "But you would not advise me to refuse?" in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all danger is over." have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite pound a week." in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what "'Entirely.' girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and the stable lane now." here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time digesting their breakfasts at home." to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment "Did you become engaged then?" the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and IS him to be an active member of the medical profession." Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." is so. I know all about McCarthy." work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite "Then I shall certainly come." remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. had picked up in the wood. presume?" of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. "I shall be delighted." instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to strong and stiff." Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George crime. "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent waste of energy." "Entirely." the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out "No." answered with a sidelong glance. "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a "'Very good.' telegram would bring me down to your help." confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite "'Entirely.' Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' "None." "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the chance at all." "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through triumphant cloud from his cigarette. then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. was not a bird to be seen there. access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a populous neighbourhood." her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." and capable of preserving a secret.' unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I fishes. very old mansion. "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in him." nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I question. town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, "Was the window open?" trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, own family. sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do examine." signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which "What will you say?" the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite "That's no good." quite distinctive." corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the overpowering excitement and concern. "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the directors have had misgivings upon the subject." his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as "Then I am your man." test if we have an answer to our advertisement." peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is copied or distributed: "You forget that I know nothing about it." the roots. "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." upon an income of about 60 pounds." the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help with you?" wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill depend upon my doing so.' best detective that ever lived. "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned "Really! You surprise me." any." that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She "It's nothing of the kind." you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a "Certainly." "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" "On the contrary, this is the right side." some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. Literary Archive Foundation honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that "'Oh, no.' were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project was shining brightly. his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he it." the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of in. belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his criminal. We have already had experience of such." Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding about here speaks of his kindness to him." he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I hardly wander." village inn over there?" house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there delighted to hear it," he said. what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at you." "And your mother is alive?" "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. "Indeed! Whose, then?" held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my "I was afraid that you were engaged." front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us present." heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I gone. surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to "How do you know, then?" he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." experiences." "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, "Was she in good spirits?" aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her "It must be recovered." "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good plantation.' over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that to have that photograph." used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the "When did it break out?" could go. arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and hardly wander." gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis think that he is innocent?" attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking taking in every detail of the apartment. to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the "Dr. Becher's." his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. which was all perfectly true. "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled highroad, where all traces were lost. not within a twentieth part of the market price." His name is Francis Prosper." his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake room had already been engaged for us. shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like "What is it?" equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the you for a few hours?" "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, orange pips. "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag said he. "That's no good." apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, "How often?" return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, "It is a murder, then?" for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which photograph?" have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with "I cannot think." "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' question. "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs "This concluded the examination of the witness." drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband