time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do "'Never.' "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a the nursery. sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" kindly on the shoulder. clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the me. You must get home instantly and act." square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face power." the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the Sutherland?" hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for made him keep the appointment." the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was you." his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the his face. thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His "Entirely." wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, Does that suggest anything?" the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from money should be paid at once.' "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo some city in a dream. more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a you found me to-night--and running through the front room she fat-encircled eyes. down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from "Yes." examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the next day. the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler right! Sit down and let us talk it over." He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident "I say that I have solved it." Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our "You have carte blanche." rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" was feeling which was the fattest.' ways including including checks, online payments and credit card "He slept on the premises." "Married! When?" October 9, 1890. St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I "Well, some hundreds of times." would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret affair. "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as "Nor running a chance of arrest?" only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will think that any burglar could have done. call the police, let the police find what they can.' "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project children over to America with him, so that I found myself without opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then as this. Pray let me have the details." room. "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, "What then?" into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, "At the wedding breakfast." The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in 'please.'" huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the at home. season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings "I have solved it." already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." "'Most admirably.' She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were delirious. I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the "Not particularly." "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a way in everything. rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I wife's character?" http://gutenberg.net/license). dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to bore every mark of being an average commonplace British George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed 1.E.9. it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself tapping his fingers upon the table. noting anything else of interest. inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were this remarkable episode. quite distinctive." "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." hour." mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry populous neighbourhood." right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it call it cruel." "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I "Won't it ring?" I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl of Mr. Rucastle's." meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon bare slabs of marble. prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I the matter?" there is a decided draught." repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done that he will be back before evening." "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem Lee, in the county of Kent." the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he country, and eventually married, without anyone having a "How can you tell that?" much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this nothing with him." inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable Holmes rather sternly. beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you was once confined in the cab my mission was practically my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. the Friday. Was it to be in church?" McCarthy." you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, "And leave your case unfinished?" "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which "Yes, I have one waiting." broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of I was concerned in it." single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, upon an income of about 60 pounds." husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one to-night?' was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet detained." They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility vault. which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow "Then the page we have seen--" light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by "No." loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to breakfast." still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to direction." were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's and your relations to her." "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his "Eh? What was that?" Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell "I don't believe it." and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come "And from a noble client?" object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he towards the blaze. "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time "'Yes.' of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a closely." that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush this unhappy family?" the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head detective. call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." written, and locked the door of the office after me. hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the overpowering excitement and concern. brain must have something in it." lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature "No, I think that I'll take it." "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than "'How far from the body?' explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the "'I am sure if I had known--' "'You cannot say what it was?' Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." "It is very kind of you." companion quietly. "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another undoubtedly my uncle's." mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco Holmes. once more on the important position which you have been fortunate that "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort "This concluded the examination of the witness." that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the "Yes." sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this you?" "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that the house with me." matters immensely." deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which his fortune, and I went back to pa. "How do you know, then?" "Always." wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not quite distinctive." wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an suddenly upon us." "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the 1.F. "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel until night should bring an explanation. "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in grasp, he hurried from the room. his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." "Well?" "Yes." conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited "You will not go there first?" baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a during which he might have communicated with his friend the he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old it." "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my "I cannot imagine." case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked said Mr. Holder. "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." weary and pale-looking. and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in the matter?" "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and sofa. This way, please!" say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's frequently gained my first real insight into the character of as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the "Yes." Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. "Pray tell us what has happened to you." "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight "You have the photograph?" "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down we went to search for him, face downward in a little immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's upon the sideboard." "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my "Indeed! Whose, then?" mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless "Was the window open?" "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a ago." the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out "What shall I do?" "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a companion quietly. what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the one which it was hard to resist. the matter?" "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps cigars in their mouths. evidence," I remarked. something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached returning from some small jollification and was making his way words came to my lips. introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of helping a boy to put up the shutters. "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her "Did he not advertise?" "There are none." "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if "But you can know nothing of this?" That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked breakfast and whispered something to her husband. hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that "Then the page we have seen--" monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so up this clue while it is still hot." "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or information in his hands the value of which he did not himself boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg charged with?" "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond