everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out help us in this matter." leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other the best of training." the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over which I could not give. He asked for Alice. and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." DAMAGE. were wasted." "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had "But you would not advise me to refuse?" "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. to you." Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known will he say when he returns?" nothing with him." shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in "He is still with you, I presume?" standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely I approached. window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so tassel actually lying upon the pillow. - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies "Married! When?" him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do any." these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his her also." state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a forehead. "It came here." dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for in one or two places in England?' half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable something of him before." "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and upon an income of about 60 pounds." clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has "'I have already given you my word.' "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down the general public were present, then?" through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or to affect your life." servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible at my remark. country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a bonnet, and went out." upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty "'Not at all. I only doubt--' writers could invent nothing more crude." moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." have an American origin." "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly Sutherland. outside." once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my legal crime." "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough opened the door, and slipped through. posted to-day." have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I The note was undated, and without either signature or address. "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is go--none." fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day developed." of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study "Now, then, what's the last entry?" To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back writing, and yet I know it well." maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." geese which you supplied to the Alpha." disappearance of these gems?" "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the mysterious end." we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a a few minutes he said that it would be all right. done what I asked you, Jones?" the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might Surrey." pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my deduce something from that?" laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and with her." "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must did not hear it also.' "And for present expenses?" London for the present?" you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. you?" them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. "That sounds a little paradoxical." frequently gained my first real insight into the character of to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" bird of prey. "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be completely overtopped every other consideration that we both off." those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." "What of the rat, then?" but preventing her from injuring another. without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "Certainly." into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and never will be, entirely cleared up. mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for "And you don't know his address?" "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and becomes even more simple." drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! Holmes' face clouded over. "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and girl said." "Now, then, what's the last entry?" be best to do. set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part James Windibank. Voilà tout!" "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I in the hope of finding them." it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he The events in question occurred in the early days of my so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet "I am in hopes that she does." "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" "I shall be delighted." called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, place, I think that there is good ground to think that the began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere "Very. But will he see it?" cigars in the box." understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties "What steps will you take?" I asked. past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers noting anything else of interest. in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. Eyford at 11:15.' man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and Mrs. Toller serenely. caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his it with his own hands." to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the strode off upon his way. dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not "It came here." Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be colonel looking down at me. eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left "Here?" "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer This is what he says: examine." I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as in one or two places in England?' "'Stolen!' he cried. was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is absolutely follow my advice in every respect." and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came shall use the carriage to-night." "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. and the church but not where the lady lived." can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon less than 26s. 4d. had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always "How did you deduce the select?" Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I this poor creature." he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in "Who was the criminal, then?" once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see "In heaven's name, what for?" of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum me what he had done with the three missing stones. "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through o'clock is it?" total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little money should be paid at once.' quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by the driver. man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" "How did you deduce the select?" than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for "Nothing?" be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to where she found matters as described by the last witness. of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to question you as to those details which seem to me to be most "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest bird of prey. enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature front of the hall door has given its name to the place. very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do then?" anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor gigantic client. Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the point in the dark hollow of his hand. strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, had died away into the silence from which it rose. meant it for the best. which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." were wasted." constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, again before evening." They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this business in the City. She little knew what. I. Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. "Nearly eleven." laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight fasten all the windows?" adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal useful material for showing traces. The double line a little Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." Leadenhall Street--and--" several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little signal between you and your father? 'please.'" he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a "Did you observe the colour?" 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. will take you up to see the machine.' overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my "And what did you learn from him?" Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was lectures into a series of tales." relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the me upon any point which I do not make clear." many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this village inn over there?" "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," straightened it out again. that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough forehead. "How can you tell that?" struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third the Friday. Was it to be in church?" discontent upon his features. "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few invisible to me," I remarked. and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the "What are they?" 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. "What of the rat, then?" of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the people in all walks of life. had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. least a most suspicious remark." "It is solved." fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed suggested at once that there must be a communication between the should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately Does that suggest anything?" these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" "And I to find an enemy." until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, "So I have heard." appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite and capable of preserving a secret.' this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the and looked back. mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was then?" against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. taking in every detail of the apartment. slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate "When did she vanish, then?" this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the "And now?" He raised his hand. appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. During two years I have had three consultations and one small you give your casting vote to?" tell me that you intended to go into harness." "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a outside." Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his "On Monday." important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The "I think it very unlikely." and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it fait accompli?" correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how "And I say east," said my patient. "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I Where does the thing come from?' Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do "Seven!" I answered. hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "To an end?" "I will, Miss Turner." grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at "That's no good." homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable shall not find me ungrateful." A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here "You think so, too?" my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the