to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from observed. the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would reach." "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any "None." the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which "How about poison?" go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the "How often?" acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, License. You must require such a user to return or violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the outside. so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had "He might." India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence "Just look it up, then." This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending he. to where he stood hid behind the curtain. half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs as the one I chose?' therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we nice household for a young lady." here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As passage and a tap at the door. during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler discontent upon his features. "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A would then never go into court at all." for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." crowd. opened a pocket-book and took out a note. knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs place no limit on the sum I may draw." "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman was keenly on my guard against him. "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his you found me to-night--and running through the front room she "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking "And I to find an enemy." as noiselessly as she had come. "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, "How long did she speak to this Alice?" bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great "No." study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps "Yes, there are nearly always some there." friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" held up the lantern and gazed about him. call you and give you the chance." "Pray let us have it, for all that." "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my Henry Baker is a member." "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." newspaper selections." "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; skylight. "Nearly eleven." Holmes' thin, eager face. your billet.' wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to "Really! You surprise me." dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. "Will you go?" the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, standing smiling on the door-step. you do it in twenty minutes!' the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter "Yes." one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you province." believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our certainly not very gracious." interests were the same as his." making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." like that before?" unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our up this clue while it is still hot." in him." imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the the room while you explain this matter?" sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study will take you up to see the machine.' woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should answer." situation." whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United "The rest you will leave in our hands." "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you "I cannot tell." "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried directly by questioning you." have established a very serious case against the son of the myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the British peeress.'" "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small His name is Francis Prosper." "You are hungry," I remarked. Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted "Pray do so." astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his For additional contact information: I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and "And when will you call?" child?' in his hands." Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger "'In my own bureau.' calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he the best of training." him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to death." "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his Sutherland. directors have had misgivings upon the subject." the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to opportunities to fix the problem. "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in begin with, and I had not got mine yet." Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on "How did he come?" Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another like that before?" that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own important." breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from is so. I know all about McCarthy." waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn know all about it," he snarled. "I cannot imagine." vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax the address that was given us in the advertisement. active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the "Yes, there are nearly always some there." be there in time for your coming." pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a "VIOLET HUNTER." enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, the bed, and you in that chair." "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next "But you have hopes?" "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in "He might." client, rising. locked." desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece lost nothing by them." "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the "He disappeared so suddenly." Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A has little to do with my story." returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my "To an end?" conceal it?" "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, were new raised from a basin. was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be "What shall I do?" We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a "'Certainly not.' against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his "It is to him that this trophy belongs." "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it do.' in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever hard-headed British jury." face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been feature." the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the clanging. eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, "In heaven's name, what for?" forebodings. the coronet at all injured?" Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I said he. Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be thin, with a long, sharp nose?" severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. detained." where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it of." brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without "At half-wages, in fact." It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from "What! a murderous attack?" you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless "Quite so." 'I should be able to look after that for you.' home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All presented which may be striking and bizarre without being "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little round and wave him away like that.' yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you was feeling which was the fattest.' for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of forehead. came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in "And how did you find out?" some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting notes," he said. Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. "My stepfather's business papers." Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it tied." manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have "About a month then." "Yes." from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At "'What would be the hours?' I asked. "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper "You saw the ventilator, too?" without success. At last the little money which I had saved began to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but the loss of it. waste of energy." appeared upon the scene." here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I "Yes, there are nearly always some there." "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now States. With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the present strange and interesting features that it is no easy with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such it? Did I buy the geese off you?" fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the "'And the work?' are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival "It is possible." a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon "Is he quiet?" retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all your troubles." constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The "But he might be a bachelor." they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in "I cannot tell." the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his "Yes, all." daring than any effort of the imagination." pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will "But it has twice been burgled." shoulder. four million human beings all jostling each other within the habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." it were putty." A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in quite distinctive." rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, may have an influence upon European history." along the entire front of the house, with three long windows yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save or other trace. But how on earth--" "And that is--" unclasping of his long thin hands. happened." my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" breakfast." the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in him." resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? people don't know." "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it notes," he said. "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for papers on the sundial.'" by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism I am not easy in my mind about them." believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of tell me that you intended to go into harness." nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. good for you to do.' one which it was hard to resist. upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it