our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, I think that I could be of assistance to you." but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall upon the sideboard." of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a used to be." and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long "'Never.' considering the formidable letters which were received by himself hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, have one." the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which "Very truly yours, dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's "Yes, certainly." "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity "My own seal." "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than opportunities to fix the problem. turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried salesman. her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never "I know where it is." be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some get her out of the way." taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord October 9, 1890. Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of will find little credit to be gained out of this case." Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been and shall probably return to London by the evening train." dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of sentimental considerations in the background which would induce a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another fluttered off among the others. "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification "Ha! you find it so?" sentimental considerations in the background which would induce of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, bled considerably." "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging narrative." in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." "What will you say?" broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so with the outside air!" instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a You want to know what became of those geese?" "About a month then." "It is very clear." master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I front of me. client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered "Yes, there are nearly always some there." Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." photograph?" brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. from the brougham. the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the and put his glass in his pocket. examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was "'About the same.' everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began "At what time?" centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came "Murdered?" contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked "Then you may entirely rely on me." prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in in one or two places in England?' sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of upon a handsome competence. cost them two and thirty pounds." should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and "Not yet." Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it presented which may be striking and bizarre without being "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It prison!" "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" the loss of it. reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me comes from the middle window." "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room frequently gained my first real insight into the character of his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. spare." As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor green of the new foliage. right! Sit down and let us talk it over." them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy "You don't mind breaking the law?" The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every I nodded again. evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our matters immensely." shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the "Of Friday, June 19th." the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he do.' Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same gone. views." emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white brain must have something in it." charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you call it cruel." finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would man. I know him from the photograph." along the entire front of the house, with three long windows he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my that there was nothing in it, after all." money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a "May I see it?" brandy and water within his reach. every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of out." yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, "Did you become engaged then?" Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use Edgeware Road. first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which his fortune, and I went back to pa. the side-table." bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled we went to search for him, face downward in a little He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular "Nothing." with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the article?" you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have "But it has twice been burgled." "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated annoyance, but no jest. and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us gives a meaning to it." sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she Countess of Morcar's?" her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police have one." came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next "I cannot tell." copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg "'And the work?' What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of "One of the highest in England." acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to eavesdroppers?' have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," "'Quite sure, dad.' to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock followed. could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa "That is it on the dressing-table." recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the "The King of Scandinavia." "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most "The knees of his trousers." and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, I nodded again. this unhappy family?" very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which in. stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." breakfast?" "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn hard-headed British jury." fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment The King stared at him in amazement. believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I means taking possession of that which another person has a prior observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless "I see no marks." deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend to Leatherhead. bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in place, I think that there is good ground to think that the deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" "And it is--" "So it appears." "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier I approached. three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had frequently gained my first real insight into the character of threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is this Miss Turner." about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would straighten it?" bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off "But we can't all be." Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet paper in the air. with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a have not had my rubber." "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If Where does the thing come from?' received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that "Look there!" said he. disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she "BALLARAT." One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing "I have seen the police." hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his burst into a hearty fit of laughter. was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I all?" dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up other means.' down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning one of the states of the Union." from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my nonsense.' years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time at my remark. "And what then?" them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards so far?" "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It which I could not give. He asked for Alice. caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little You want to know what became of those geese?" is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that neither fascinating nor artistic." past. "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those to talk it over. "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable "How on earth--" same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at him nearly every evening." would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned "'Where could I find him?' Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason "It looks newer than the other things?" "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. I was concerned in it." is four-and-twenty." "How do you know, then?" the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a "Dark enough and sinister enough." indeed happy." young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. you in yours." "Could he throw no light?" "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most hardly wander." is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the room had already been engaged for us. just called myself is not exactly my own." "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" papers on the sundial.'" the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, "He slept on the premises." 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the Street. the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right "But you were on a friendly footing?" what I may call a really hard day's work." "There are none." neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as an introduction to him?" them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" "'I am sure if I had known--' records." been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the she slowly sank and died without having recovered her occupations.' rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend "My opinion is in no way altered." rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon "Dirty?" building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has them?" huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the that you can jump it.' are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came "What can you not understand?" case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some "'And what salary do you ask?' whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too man. public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand it. strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before "I see many objections to any such theory." so.' I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, "But you can know nothing of this?" the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen read it out to me." railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a companion. called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled