rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or views." the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any "I will do it." "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another "'Yes, I promise.' Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric "I never have." Leave Paddington by the 11:15." to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs "No. What a strange idea!" that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by not as remarkable as your advertisement." believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to "Witness: I must still refuse. stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we writing, and yet I know it well." that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable were wasted." reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable "The doctor?" springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then "I promise," said Holmes. have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the future lives." discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. "No." "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary 'please.'" slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against wedding?" justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, Lestrade of Scotland Yard." "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" "Very. But will he see it?" subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the "And how did you find out?" suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the tapping his fingers upon the table. Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in "Yes, but only for you and me." But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with back to my heart. every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little sound at heart." "Then you may be so with me." footfalls from the street. danger is over." "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such present." who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door have I gained?" "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the the Red-headed League." "Did you observe the colour?" friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, "What?" "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, "'Certainly,' I answered. directly by questioning you." "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that "Yes." of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his cause to be." mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." coroner's jury." she used." "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." lectures into a series of tales." his forehead." position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither "But not more so than I to find you." Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's "ARAT," I read. my secret was safe in his possession. the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he away in different directions, and I went off to make my own that threaten you." Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and "But how did you gain them?" the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND I nodded again. own family. very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would "That's no good." of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your during which he might have communicated with his friend the direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was charge against him will break down." the coronet in his hand?" liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for 'please.'" Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the "Then how many are there?" "In San Francisco, a year ago." these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to unprecedented a position." effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar back alive. directors have had misgivings upon the subject." take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. than was visible to me." "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and read over the extraordinary announcement. on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, train.' when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong approach us with offers to donate. "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting "In San Francisco, a year ago." "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first child?' was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, and capable of preserving a secret.' "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was confronted him. part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since unclasping of his long thin hands. patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely foot. bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute written, and locked the door of the office after me. "Quite so." black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. McCarthy." His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of "Then, as to money?" state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES "And what did you learn from him?" 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior arms and began to sob in a high treble key. "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." "'Most admirably.' "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and in him." lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." past. 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are soul! here is her carriage at the door." "Who was the criminal, then?" "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, "There is the writing." a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had way in everything. you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get "It goes to the housekeeper's room." "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can into the room. corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several your co-operation." turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a main points of my analysis." Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I "Do you receive much company?" he asked. tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the "Certainly." you." "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new mystery!" Mary, has deserted me." heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little again, where I was soon asleep. me where it went to?" dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, where she found matters as described by the last witness. You can understand that this register and diary may implicate "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would not personally threatened." "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for to go into your room and bar your shutters?" will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution roused himself from his reverie. if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to chemical work which was so dear to him. lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the Project Gutenberg-tm works. One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important is now desirous of getting those letters back." "That you are never beaten." calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been "Won't it ring?" have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air within hail.' "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of "Nothing." large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted "At half-wages, in fact." deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it attention." "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible "And why in hopes?" "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, "My dear Holmes!" the coronet in his hands?" "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." leaning back in his chair. "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was "Yes." description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." call you and give you the chance." nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across "At the wedding breakfast." "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with cigar and let me expound." "What have you to say now?" "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of "And how have you succeeded?" sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong "Yes, there are nearly always some there." information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate tension within him. window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in strength." "This concluded the examination of the witness." trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply promised to bring home. Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the "By all means." Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions constraint." "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one "Thank you. Pray proceed." you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have the little opening for the ventilator is." grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, "Not him." "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm "How long did she speak to this Alice?" which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told works. behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." intrusion of other matters." and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. "You saw the ventilator, too?" he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were IS the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk him and tried to hold him back. The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back "Precisely." had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over "Do you know him?" "Not yet." my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the shaken than I had ever seen him. electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty "Then, how do you know?" "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and not fit the lock." I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous criminal. We have already had experience of such." distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out "I answered that I had not. Sutherland?" "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out your bag." "It is half-past ten now." other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange "No. His orders were to stay in the house." "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little said Mr. Holder. the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the your bag." on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora fluttered off among the others. his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His