1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in seen the man in the road." look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The he. into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I threw himself down with his face to the pillow. "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have "No, I had a dozen." whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss some city in a dream. away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, "But you were on a friendly footing?" his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently "Seven!" I answered. "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is "Never to return." "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no been lifted and conveyed somewhere." there in twenty minutes." to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to "It came here." shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to them?" flock.' done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, way: "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one It may be so in this case, also." electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until fashion which was peculiar to him. wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I Lee, in the county of Kent." description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done until night should bring an explanation. erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The "Yes, he did." Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to "Yes." "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we lost nothing by them." myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself "I should be immensely obliged to you." music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the I shall continue with my miserable story. shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." "Yes, that is the Crown." his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a "'You cannot say what it was?' "Married! When?" "I am still in the dark." "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich window when the police appeared." my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what that you saw all that I did." but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these "Pray be precise as to details," said he. I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it "Then you may entirely rely on me." to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the ago." them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or quite distinctive." upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do "Then, how do you know?" once more on the important position which you have been fortunate "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not waste of energy." much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs "Now, then, what's the last entry?" "Pray continue your narrative." admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as night.' said he. case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them that?' "Because he was handy and would come cheap." appointment with me for six o'clock?" autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a strength of mind to control. rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a outside." companion. 'I should be able to look after that for you.' together. also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then business in the City. She little knew what. "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson awkward doing business with an alias." much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she "The Cedars?" highroad, where all traces were lost. year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I wall." but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, "Then what has happened to him?" "And I." "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a thirty. who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at "No." red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar she slowly sank and died without having recovered her "I think that it is very probable." before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm "It is possible." an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and with the outside air!" I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding back to my heart. appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. kind enough to tell me what I should do." without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid three fields round his house, and there he would take his age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per "You are hungry," I remarked. in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert triumphant cloud from his cigarette. laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an better grown goose." and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the "Where, then, is my wife?" ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." other lovers by making love himself." had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to Gutenberg-tm License. inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent weapon." I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst dear old homesteads?" of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. mysterious business." caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice "That is it on the dressing-table." this as likely?" that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am train.' "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a best detective that ever lived. be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, "Certainly." I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel mystery may be cleared along those lines." called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. "And I." safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns mysterious business." with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, with you?" to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my other lovers by making love himself." Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or up this clue while it is still hot." whole matter to your consideration." not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. bedroom door." watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at "I shall be delighted." "Proceed, then." room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few criminal. We have already had experience of such." Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you himself to tell his story. through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this writing, and yet I know it well." change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's what I may call a really hard day's work." American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. "Never." and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." perplexity from it to my illustrious client. St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again point our research must commence, and we will begin it by need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any would then never go into court at all." "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, "And when will you call?" woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my "No, I think that I'll take it." this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." heavily into it. case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an know what is wrong with it.' formed some opinion?" "And now?" I asked. "Then I can wait in the next room." interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not your room." Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful sparkled upon his finger. it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of "You have carte blanche." Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and Munro.' southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed minor matters until to-morrow." in a friendly supper." difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were call for it in person on Monday morning.' "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap Holmes' room. hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, "What!" he roared. centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my peculiar to him. see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked "Yes, that is the Crown." lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold "Nor running a chance of arrest?" being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, point our research must commence, and we will begin it by again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of gone. my special province." however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. which we had just quitted. society." there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" begun to whiten, even as mine has." the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself "What then?" he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally himself in a perplexing position. crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in corner of the building. have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt and the whole place is in a blaze." sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which allusion to a rat. upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary a room. "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand fait accompli?" and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest "Eh? What was that?" did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss taking in every detail of the apartment. nice household for a young lady." "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. hurried away. upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. it means?" looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son been shamefully used." It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name