should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black yards of it?' THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had be. I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is your co-operation." work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham down. "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name "Proceed, then." I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so "Ha! you find it so?" "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of "The decline of his fortunes, then?" if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." which should have the effect of calling the attention of the photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, shall not find me ungrateful." of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the "It is to him that this trophy belongs." were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they absorbing." His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I "And you can do nothing until then?" too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish dead, shall be safe with us." conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really business at Coburg Square is serious." it." "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming was used.' Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes constraint." knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a "The landlord of the Alpha." out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He prison!" "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my companion. jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with union?" which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. to arrive at through this?" events than those which have happened in my own family." know all about it," he snarled. "Yes, the wine-cellar." seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America disturbance in my wife." "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel he. occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. of your young ladies.' could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, "'I am sure that I do not know.' enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into was used.' sit on the left-hand side of the driver." speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind "Yes." that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, of his shoulders. "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the annoyance, but no jest. coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. through." "No more words. Get out!" "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. jewels which you have stolen?' The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, one of them." "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you green of the new foliage. "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." "But who is he?" so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length unkempt, staring out at me. until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said "'A dozen yards or so.' "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, "Where did you address your letters, then?" Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without of them has the shutters up.' "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It about here speaks of his kindness to him." wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the "I cannot think." ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all window when the police appeared." "What will you do, then?" "Well, some hundreds of times." usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and "What will you say?" than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources dates and names. all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of carpenter." "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very to surprise her." slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project and I shall be with you presently." it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." "Certainly." like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror in the hope of finding them." address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." a little more before I quite committed myself. sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will that he has suffered." news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very he bowed and left the room without another word. gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not "By no means." burst out into a roar of laughter. to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this to you." the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew wife's character?" "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me the stable lane now." is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is our word." other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my I nodded again. been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and "'What then?' I asked. "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I returned to France?" scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind geese which you supplied to the Alpha." offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for "I have a cab outside." from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, enough to aid us in our search." one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but had died away into the silence from which it rose. to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns brought there to personate someone, and the real person is "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. "But what harm can there be in that?" copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of village inn over there?" wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I meanly of me." that I may have something better before very many minutes are ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know are, and they are waiting for us." events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most III. "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged "I do." "It is very clear." danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California lamp in his hand. was keenly on my guard against him. been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical The summons was a brief and urgent one. McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have fishes. hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." "I should like to see him very much." by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The national property. I was determined that the law should have its Pope's Court, Fleet Street." master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I "At half-wages, in fact." revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing him to be an active member of the medical profession." "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" looking up at the numbers of the houses." public press." "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" heavy and sharp instrument." coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger "Precisely." "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, "But how did you gain them?" ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the presented which may be striking and bizarre without being London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in "How long did she speak to this Alice?" discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my "'Not at all. I only doubt--' "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something Does that suggest anything?" and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to little adventures." dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this "No?" "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely I took the paper from him and read as follows: persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to "Always." I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, "Yes." even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" "'And the work?' wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." hereditary King of Bohemia." My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, weary and pale-looking. over part of the map. "What do you read?" threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" "Yes, the wine-cellar." Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of might have a private word with us. or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But and no precautions can guard against." Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he success. of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building "And how have you succeeded?" you in yours." course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the "'And what are they worth?' I asked. half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in bore every mark of being an average commonplace British half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid Holmes' room. in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" "He said that you could solve anything." "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. British peeress.'" "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we official police." this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have "On the contrary, this is the right side." little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and British peeress.'" hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick once more to my work. road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one something of him before." have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two outside. her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that "That you are never beaten." labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, grasp, he hurried from the room. "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like "Why did you beat the pavement?" is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even "Very well, sir. And this stone?" reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap tail." gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I "I am following you closely," I answered. "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. is a common subject for conversation. have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." maid will bring up your coffee." "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any "It must be recovered." upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I "Perhaps I have." "And leave your case unfinished?" "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he his knees, staring into the fire. few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was