from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in forebodings. Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave "I am to be neutral?" case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second "Perfectly so." Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to least a most suspicious remark." for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a "'Yes, it was gone.' Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. letters?" material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been he. Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his like that before?" Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as legal crime." In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much for and were ordered to this address. clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at to talk it over. "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' "Yes?" which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each Young McCarthy must be got off, however." gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that "Yes, certainly." the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. tightly behind him. What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it status with the IRS. "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have you?" skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, I nodded again. Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch views." him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than keep the flames under. impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the mystery may be cleared along those lines." I approached. importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. to have been novel and of interest." has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she row." interest. They are important, you understand, without being I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the there was no need for father to know." practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom "No, thank goodness, she did not." one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may "That is it on the dressing-table." downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you any more." invisible to me," I remarked. prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have bill, which interests me deeply." writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." "That is also quite modern," said the lady. "I am armed." places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who my friend's incisive reasoning. to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this coroner's jury." Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of "But how will you look?" and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges brandy and water within his reach. "I came to find a friend." to tackle the facts." "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked to you." there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" been shamefully used." cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he "You have compromised yourself seriously." "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the off." to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at done what I asked you, Jones?" papers on the sundial.'" routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand yourselves in at night?" "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. would then never go into court at all." of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a once more to my work. over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. bachelor.' is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own important." galvanised. deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with gone. at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" "Absolutely none." "I have seen the police." several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head if only as a check to my own memory." union?" have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I walking." a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the other, as fresh and trim as possible. with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the hand, madam?" Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to of them has the shutters up.' "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." "To ruin me." very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the my room." "He might." following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. before the coroner and the police-court." "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. "My dear Holmes!" saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of man. would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the I was concerned in it." "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of strength." connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, papers diligently of late, have you not?" the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and which we had just quitted. voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, "Deserted you?" Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his direction." think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, you found me to-night--and running through the front room she this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would a monotonous occupation." to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. to miss it." "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks "'How far from the body?' which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you past. chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight conversation I have gathered that they have been married about neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I foresight and the moral retrogression?" was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir situation." glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to "No. What a strange idea!" hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered arrangements." lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it "His face fell immediately. young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been "But his left-handedness." sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting "Have you it here?" "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon overpowering excitement and concern. editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." "And what did you see?" room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very Doctor, of the paper and the date." home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment "In the cells." walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy "And the murderer?" "At the wedding breakfast." When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus formed some opinion?" "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your "I am following you closely," I answered. when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and been with you?" just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, like gravel from a pit.' thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my shadow pass over his face as I spoke. "'How far from the body?' Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in crackling voice. galvanised. the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I I think that I could be of assistance to you." someone who had been in Australia." but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely prove to be little relation between the different incidents of "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." copied or distributed: of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person astonishment. what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely redistribution. "No. His orders were to stay in the house." was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in for the market.' "To an English lawyer named Norton." which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that "An enemy?" upon the white wrist. night.' said he. was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. laugh and put his lips to my ear. solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should distinguish the words: too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in "'Which dealer's?' "Well?" sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the may have an influence upon European history." would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and do." some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked "His face fell immediately. situation." "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his made him keep the appointment." "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such "Were they all fastened this morning?" before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, bonnet, and went out." confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock "If so, much may have happened between." lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of she has been waylaid. There has been no result." the coronet in his hands?" good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and "And what then?" tapping his fingers upon the table. seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy knowledge of the world." "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The "In what way?" asked Holmes. written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out "Then I can wait in the next room." there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she "How do you know, then?" Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be "Nothing." threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very case-book, which he consulted. have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I chemical work which was so dear to him. with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in "She showed me, as I told you she would." performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works way in." "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. strength of mind to control. greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had "No more words. Get out!" owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while forbidden door. *** START: FULL LICENSE *** to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and if I call to-morrow?" "Then I shall certainly come." that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess "When did it break out?" caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two place no limit on the sum I may draw." Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg national property. I was determined that the law should have its discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would persecution?" question," said Holmes, smiling. have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. you in yours." again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to are windows in it, of course?" lost nothing by them." I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what eavesdroppers?' some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ during that time.' "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. Eyford." friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." touch that coronet?' until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his had formerly been in part my own.