justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a about. examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, and effective." correct than the official force." would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid it. "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it "'I am sure if I had known--' the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where digesting their breakfasts at home." protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me nonsense.' "'I have already given you my word.' "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country "The Cedars?" "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking writing, and yet I know it well." his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed "There are none." "I should wish to." wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a October 9, 1890. reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her during which he might have communicated with his friend the very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest "And what then?" few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no know what is wrong with it.' about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which the side-table." had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day of Fenchurch Street." to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought "Ten will be early enough." twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must "Perhaps I have." "Ten will be early enough." could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day "I should wish to." us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who "What! Had he lost his wife?" "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which "No, but the enclosure is." "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face "Look there!" said he. for securing the situation." sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if where she found matters as described by the last witness. earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the up this clue while it is still hot." voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." minor matters until to-morrow." the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, "Then, as to money?" could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided are, I think, all that we need." how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten lumber-room." It may be so in this case, also." given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it "Then I can wait in the next room." he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow burst into a hearty fit of laughter. are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, "I would pay ten." previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a searched, without anything being found which could incriminate fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he derbies." his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given together. acquaintance?" steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it you, my dear young lady?' Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the in darkness. "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an "And what then?" fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told without a word or a look. "But how?" 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one started for the Temple to see my husband. noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be yards of it?' the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. all-comprehensive glances. him to go away.' "Yes." mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's anything to a woman, for she would have her way." "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they Cross for the Continent." he bowed and left the room without another word. Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses said he. suddenly upon us." It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in his fortune, and I went back to pa. wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and "Pray be precise as to details," said he. "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady "We must sit without light. He would see it through the matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises never will be, entirely cleared up. Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of get her out of the way." would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, examination of the premises, but without finding anything which had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" "It is very clear." and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my recall any case within my experience which looked at the first people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir business at Coburg Square is serious." two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" been." Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any discontent upon his features. hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as the window, rose as we entered. the general public were present, then?" knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers problems help me to do so." the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, obstinate." Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical papers diligently of late, have you not?" strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the "'Never,' said I. attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over closing the door. It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no she has been waylaid. There has been no result." so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his "Look there!" said he. "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if foresight and the moral retrogression?" themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My face and glided from the room. at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but "'Most admirably.' Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. "You heard nothing yourself last night?" the little opening for the ventilator is." Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There Arthur Conan Doyle of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been directors have had misgivings upon the subject." dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty was used.' "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in corner of the building. manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the "No." Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I least a most suspicious remark." The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, fact, we may call it conclusive." there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" open." following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to for the market.' "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the help us in this matter." which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it completely overtopped every other consideration that we both to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton people in all walks of life. the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of distinguish the words: "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' sake, don't!" "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence "I was mad--insane." some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, wanted for ourselves." and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the tied." indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a Arthur Conan Doyle "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep before the coroner and the police-court." "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in reach." vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in said he at last. a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My heavy and sharp instrument." "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah "No bad?" "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up answer." opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main own family. conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." Again Holmes raved in the air. police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police "You were travelling in the States?" "No, but the enclosure is." noting anything else of interest. sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man "You will not go there first?" well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just "Where is it, then?" returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, said I. it." observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed "'What would be the hours?' I asked. With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the This is what he says: Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible "'Yes, it was gone.' very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open a very grave face. arrangements." over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper "Oh, the cause is excellent!" our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My matters immensely." that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet "You have compromised yourself seriously." "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most lectures into a series of tales." again." delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in "Pray be precise as to details," said he. on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at "One?" "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he "If I can be of use." closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it may never be exposed to such a temptation." astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." this truth that in these little records of our cases which you great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I "I would pay ten." paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I me where it went to?" the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is and prosperity to your house. Good-night." brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in "And you can do nothing until then?" not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that other means.' burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while 1.E.9. out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the "You did not overhear what they said?" landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and weigh very heavily upon my conscience." and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do shag which I had seen upon the previous night. the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable records." exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. locked. it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, "Always." "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are writer." overpowering excitement and concern. "Will you bet, then?" "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if "I have come for advice." "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the "Only as much as we can deduce." received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which "No, I am descending." of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he think, you have already met." "Ah!" his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United "And what did you see?" impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of best detective that ever lived. "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works.