the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my "The doctor?" "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black with you alone." laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight letters?" indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I "One of the highest in England." nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked anything to do with the matter?" "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." "Why, what do you mean?" very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed "I shall be delighted." prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." "I cannot imagine." "But who is he?" "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended gbnewby@pglaf.org "And why?" against a man in the prime of life?" likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I over here." with frightened eyes at his accuser. gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in Edgeware Road. friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here unclasping of his long thin hands. "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face "Precisely so. But how--" matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the "None." furiously. "Here?" deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my which should have the effect of calling the attention of the morning." are, and they are waiting for us." "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would him!" mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the writer." Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But "Where is it, then?" table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time "When did she vanish, then?" fishes. shall not find me ungrateful." considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should he bowed and left the room without another word. disappearance of these gems?" my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had enough to aid us in our search." remarked. attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary that He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. meant." "And how did he make his money?" to a more successful conclusion." fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my test if we have an answer to our advertisement." Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in the south-west, I see." thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester "Yes. He waved his hands." papers on the sundial.'" "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down "I cannot think." was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was "No bad?" perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the "Certainly." right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat "Who was the criminal, then?" certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black other means.' the King without delay." "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and occupations.' years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke "Then I shall certainly come." window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in "What, then?" will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." stammered. destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and to have been novel and of interest." experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort knowledge of the world." mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I already been minutely examined." villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. married her." hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you "I cannot say that I have." Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. and files of the old papers, following the future career of every "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of putting in the horse. belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." "I will not look." "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a "Have you it here?" Pope's Court, Fleet Street." wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my light and attacked it." initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." "'What then?' I asked. The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe "Here?" photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, "Here?" "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." down from London to inquire more deeply into it." "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of awaited us upon the table. "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the "And sit in the dark?" your room." "No." "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who "My stepfather's business papers." possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it "Were they all fastened this morning?" "I think that I had better go, Holmes." But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my not use it unless it is absolutely needed." habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in digesting their breakfasts at home." earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had "Entirely." myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The without a word or a look. "But not more so than I to find you." "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I in his hands." upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of when your master had gone out." Holmes. to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out of receipt of the work. the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have morning." "How did that help you?" the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and some terrible trap for her." not come at once?" "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange have had none more fantastic than this." "'Where to?' Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker "It is half-past ten now." of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that system of imprisonment?" "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror "'Why that?' I asks. "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business "Then I can wait in the next room." hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest me have 200 pounds?' My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, fashion which was peculiar to him. together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I learned something! Where are the gems?" no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in might help us?" framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off "I think that I had better go, Holmes." surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. to his chemical studies. Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I the child." boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have front of the hall door has given its name to the place. "Certainly." has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" cigars in the box." would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a "Perhaps I have." its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so "In which, sir?" squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat the roots. a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I problems help me to do so." door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the and wait." This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with "'About the same.' over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I "The Cedars?" "On your arm?" arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each I nodded to show that I had heard. "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A carried out of court." forebodings. before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony woman who has had her own way to make in the world. "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, meanly of me." Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent The note was undated, and without either signature or address. the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" was it brought him the coronet? dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy "An enemy?" "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." gbnewby@pglaf.org "But he might be a bachelor." "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." suggested at once that there must be a communication between the His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the upon the white wrist. "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, "But who is he?" year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall means taking possession of that which another person has a prior the coroner come to?" LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads in a friendly supper." I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." really the only notable feature about the thing." some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose things are very often connected not with the larger but with the "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses "You have it, sir, just as it happened." the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have will take you up to see the machine.' guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and handed it to him. my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had train from Paddington which would bring you there at about cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a "And for present expenses?" the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the bled considerably." the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a License. You must require such a user to return or arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from "It was." brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have "Seven!" I answered. "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should "That's no good." veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as