that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no "Look there!" said he. keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this breakfast and whispered something to her husband. "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland "Absolutely none." "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a death." two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in until night should bring an explanation. "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" have not had my rubber." tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the "Pray be precise as to details," said he. "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm handed it to him. "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a noble correspondent could be. 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have "Stolen, then." upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the me where it went to?" "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce awaited us upon the table. other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what ordinary clothes on?" what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always shag which I had seen upon the previous night. name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my other means.' eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. that, and I came down." there." rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in is now desirous of getting those letters back." "Where, indeed?" "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand tied." a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 fishes. "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place "Why serious?" "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the vault. "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, McCarthy's innocence. on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from have established a very serious case against the son of the will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my himself to tell his story. months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. "That also I could fathom." helping a boy to put up the shutters. the salesman. explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps throat." again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a I have it here in my museum." too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into chamber." have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have walking." "It was." entirely devoid of interest." again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project "Quite so. She has her freedom." "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable James Windibank. Voilà tout!" "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he populous neighbourhood." country, and eventually married, without anyone having a "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work "The rest you will leave in our hands." "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. "'And what are they worth?' I asked. American. Then who could this American be, and why should he is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in "How did you deduce the select?" be. strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are "Yes." have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well straighten it?" naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." fire. You quite follow me?" "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. "I have come for advice." Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to of the efforts of the United States government and of the better a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, galvanised. But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not "Entirely." absolutely follow my advice in every respect." pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and felt?" winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. "Were they all fastened this morning?" hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, Miss Holder?" outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the on in his house." both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether and prosperity to your house. Good-night." husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward me have 200 pounds?' cup of tea. "It missed him, then?" "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length entirely lost his self-respect." neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. good for you to do.' he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew was a lad." "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I "Was he the only applicant?" side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that to-night." dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid "Nothing." for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the II. such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a stepfather?" the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be are windows in it, of course?" indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I drove away. behind me. know all about it," he snarled. insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made Pope's Court. ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few "None." which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been strode off upon his way. wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the allusion to a rat. reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock there has been an enclosure here!" and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the affair. I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she "It is half-past ten now." they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the his eyes and forehead. "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the showing my impatience. foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his becomes even more simple." know what is wrong with it.' bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth "My dear Holmes!" without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when "No, distinctly professional." seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, 1.E.9. "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural fire. You quite follow me?" and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised me, and I could not think that his explanation of the "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men could not have written that. It is the German who is so shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at intimate personal affairs in this public manner." "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been "Stoke Moran?" said he. work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have distance from the station, and there we found the young lady him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," "It goes to the housekeeper's room." "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have investigation." going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, him." year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. "But the mystery?" "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would if only as a check to my own memory." that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you excitement. crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all them, and came down just as you departed. Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a James Windibank. Voilà tout!" Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." what I may call a really hard day's work." never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life Holmes' face clouded over. or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been definite end. hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy remarked. "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and yet." be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the said I. his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" matter over." "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel kindly on the shoulder. train.' walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of you?" Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure This is what he says: only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very "I have seen the police." that?' "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. persecution?" face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little good-night and bustled off upon her way. during which he might have communicated with his friend the wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There "'Is 4 pounds a week.' base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the have an American origin." she might be summoned. "The King of Scandinavia." characteristics, but those are the more obvious." "I should like to see him very much." low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. them present such singular features as the strange train of "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which is now desirous of getting those letters back." cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that go back?" 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally man. I know him from the photograph." here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been compunction about shooting them down." should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than started for the Temple to see my husband. "I never have." flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and "No, finished." "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at distinguish the words: not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into "'Very good.' such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the "Was your sister dressed?" "I will get her to show me." "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose suggested at once that there must be a communication between the "'Most admirably.' directors, with the result that you have seen." "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were are, and they are waiting for us." took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be to you." are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the "Do you go out much in society?" knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the "Yes, all." "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both "Where did you address your letters, then?" your billet.' green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my that you wished to speak to me?' force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. place of silver." his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box "Texas, I think." house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without your equipment. that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the The events in question occurred in the early days of my "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the tied." "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously