was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left locked. most important business. It is probable that he will be away all Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself shaken than I had ever seen him. our word." guilty one." took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key you." word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. which I could not give. He asked for Alice. his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" a good hundred miles off by now." What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' be sorry for having acted so harshly." the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight speckled band?" red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have we went to search for him, face downward in a little "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face Heh?' she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' his grey eyes. by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an was a loud and authoritative tap. "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, "No, distinctly professional." "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is deduce something from that?" have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and desk. "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. call for protection in the marriage market, for the present face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector overpowering excitement and concern. returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the "Precisely." "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain for and were ordered to this address. didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning touch that coronet?' Project Gutenberg-tm works. "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at "'Certainly not.' reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the correct than the official force." take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to "'Why that?' I asks. "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though dramatic, in fact." which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come bachelor.' between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall "It is a murder, then?" stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. matter over." wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in "He said too much." question. classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the "The knees of his trousers." endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in "Who was the criminal, then?" with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little the matter." felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped never will be, entirely cleared up. manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is "I don't believe it." province." thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my "'Is purely nominal.' "Quite so. She has her freedom." years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles in the hope of finding them." but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from "Now, then, what's the last entry?" "Imitated." once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." not as remarkable as your advertisement." of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. call it cruel." why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" crime." you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside once more to my work. sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook and the church but not where the lady lived." "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have went to the Alpha were town bred." "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a Holmes' face clouded over. "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler lost his Christmas dinner." to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my "I beg pardon." Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out to surprise her." imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing highly," said Holmes. and wait." his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. "Pray let us have it, for all that." panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted "Why did you pick him?" reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to may never be exposed to such a temptation." glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you rat could hardly pass through." there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural goes." "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, putting in the horse. "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may existence." within hail.' "I will not look." shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in intrusion of other matters." unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an little trying to do so much typewriting?" collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such child?' usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of prove to be little relation between the different incidents of making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One friend's singular character. before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." "How many? I don't know." "Very much so." suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were entirely lost his self-respect." "And you don't know his address?" ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow you." the one as in the other." "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." Gutenberg-tm License. impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it bird I ate is country bred." every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little most interesting one." towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, The telegram which we eventually received came late one night good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air page at http://pglaf.org everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." strong and stiff." the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they status with the IRS. "No. His orders were to stay in the house." suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are there in twenty minutes." *** START: FULL LICENSE *** "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land "I have a cab outside." and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it points to suicide?" the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United "Then how many are there?" suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes "It is very kind of you." a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical laugh and put his lips to my ear. "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the "And your father? Did you tell him?" America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had annoyance, but no jest. dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of might help us?" "'What do you call purely nominal?' out of this horrible affair." had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards hour." keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first derbies." Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery been shamefully used." tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all once more to my work. the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. "And now?" I asked. to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." Project Gutenberg-tm works. "'It is locked up,' I answered. stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his visitors." It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle will be renamed. "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said "But how could you guess what the motive was?" met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set as this. Pray let me have the details." "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black think that he is innocent?" should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' "But his lameness?" located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in "Yes." "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, The telegram which we eventually received came late one night geese which you supplied to the Alpha." "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock she might be summoned. to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through if she died from some sudden fright." "Not him." "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no which we had just quitted. in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, girl said." "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed "Were they all fastened this morning?" that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls to change my dress.