them present such singular features as the strange train of those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own "I warn you that they are very incomplete." upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that "What, then?" that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at "And I to find an enemy." bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and "Nothing?" "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to "None." want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a During two years I have had three consultations and one small back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and and inquire as to the address." "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point "By train from Waterloo." and files of the old papers, following the future career of every the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong "I cannot think." "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in opened the door, and slipped through. our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. his forehead." you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And it. uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad than to us. "What is it?" "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have "It is half-past ten now." he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." imbecility!" he cried. arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel call the police, let the police find what they can.' "Was your sister dressed?" extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his villagers almost as much as their master. now. It seems that there had been some informality about their go back?" "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. "You will not go there first?" I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" "I say that I have solved it." while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already it." see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, "No sign of it?" the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face "Always." following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he "Pray let us have it, for all that." place of silver." "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel always that they were such commands as a lady might with an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his go--none." was shining brightly. "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a coroner's jury." and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to Serpentine Avenue. Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment conversation I have gathered that they have been married about all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot would then never go into court at all." look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began "And what then?" she might be summoned. uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." what do you think they found in the pockets?" photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he to tell." "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that "Yes, but only for you and me." to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look "What of the rat, then?" "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my forbidden door. "Seven!" I answered. "What is it?" who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a done what I asked you, Jones?" "On Monday." the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke "Absolutely none." burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may "Yes." absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he your equipment. very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and said he at last. which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran but preventing her from injuring another. Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive "How many? I don't know." sparkled upon his finger. disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few heavily into it. almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if "What I expected to see." corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this future lives." have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, the tragedy. too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his "In which, sir?" admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, upon a handsome competence. the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand as he folded up the epistle. a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the house for five minutes.' 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of "And help." with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a of the way of danger. years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as it." "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window 'I should be able to look after that for you.' have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at Munro.' never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. "My opinion is in no way altered." when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it "By all means." owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I but preventing her from injuring another. there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." "But what will you do?" great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I good for you to do.' He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we "'You cannot say what it was?' earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a ran thus: seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the I took the paper from him and read as follows: something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very ran thus: success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he allusion to a rat. pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the that point our research must commence, and we will begin it by 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided said I. one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what "Perfectly so." I approached. "I say that I have solved it." hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, national property. I was determined that the law should have its right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice I am not easy in my mind about them." although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my the ceiling. in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would Cross for the Continent." one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a himself. gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite himself to tell his story. take the flies, but not before." "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the his eyes and forehead. retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in "It is true that I have been generally successful." noise which awoke you from your sleep?" himself to tell his story. surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could so far?" the little opening for the ventilator is." all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for dead, shall be safe with us." said he at last. volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another "I am in hopes that she does." Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily because she had spent so short a time in this country that she his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have It may be so in this case, also." his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been "That is not always so easy." you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here eat it." "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of his grey eyes. "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We "Is he quiet?" Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which "Nearly eleven." in. drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In most interesting one." but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing "'Yes.' leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given the inquest, and which are worth considering." "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will "In which, sir?" going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this of the one which your family is now devouring." Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself chance." weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which "Stolen." purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the "What then?" moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months believe that I should never have any practice at all. became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give which should have the effect of calling the attention of the brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to down. nights." got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself strength of mind to control. were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I "Your sister is dead, then?" "The rest you will leave in our hands." "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which "Who by?" "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. most important business. It is probable that he will be away all business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own unprecedented a position." call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was "Married! When?" companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up and wait." sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has his face. in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax "You have the photograph?" "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing upon a handsome competence. recall any case within my experience which looked at the first "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we "And how did you find out?" the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I Street. How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a always that they were such commands as a lady might with see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. a room. him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the "How do you know, then?" useful material for showing traces. The double line a little can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can me, and I could not think that his explanation of the and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of indeed happy." with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, people don't know." Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger "I was afraid that you were engaged." It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this