works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" my former friend and companion. "I answered that I had not. as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, Farm upon the left." "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an "What will you do, then?" very morning of my second wedding." long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal whereabouts. broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no new duties?' "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little system of imprisonment?" that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. but preventing her from injuring another. obstinate." opportunities to fix the problem. effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were Sholtos." finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no "What is it?" minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and "So I heard. You have him here?" suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I to have that photograph." younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, quite distinctive." fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was waste of energy." it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior pierced for earrings?" in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my "'You doubt its value?' he asked. client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the bore every mark of being an average commonplace British at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both "It surprised me." which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed "That is it on the dressing-table." newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I way in." "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his at my own good fortune. spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to "Indeed! Whose, then?" "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how "Nothing." felt the room to be a little close.' the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, the Red-headed League." fashion which was peculiar to him. "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him "Here?" mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too Holmes. before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the some mystery and the punishment of some crime." three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a written, and locked the door of the office after me. He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder felt?" where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long "Deserted you?" before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you strength of mind to control. unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' Have you good authority for what you say?" have one." weigh very heavily upon my conscience." The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit "And your mother is alive?" "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have "Then I shall certainly come." get the tickets." in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in been." not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." "Imitated." John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over clang of the bell. tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to me upon any point which I do not make clear." believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by "Will you bet, then?" Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence into her hand at the door and which lured her within their never will be, entirely cleared up. We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a shag which I had seen upon the previous night. the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this My friend smiled. saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate breakfast?" "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable "'As governess?' effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread "From his hat?" I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so "No more words. Get out!" to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, interests were the same as his." has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, His name is Francis Prosper." business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a "BALLARAT." access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection "You think so, too?" methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate child?' Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he events than those which have happened in my own family." while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' cost them two and thirty pounds." "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be "Two days later this same performance was gone through under to change my dress. woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to "'And the work?' the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a in darkness. the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. on re-entering her father's house?" came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the minor matters until to-morrow." company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to your bag." "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who "Ten will be early enough." It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So "Certainly." memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that "I never have." the coronet in his hand?" bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms get the tickets." that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight "The gentleman I describe." returning from some small jollification and was making his way taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than "Yes, but only for you and me." veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner one which it was hard to resist. acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of "But he might be a bachelor." process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I "My dear Holmes!" wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing "It must be recovered." in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square distance from the station, and there we found the young lady and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of in my life." lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have coat-tails." month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the could not account in any way for the presence of the missing paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence "And why in hopes?" room. King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly comes from the middle window." "What have you done?" asked Holmes. wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John "But your client--" "One?" has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm this unhappy family?" Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her Serpentine Avenue. amused." wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and "But what is it you wish?" breakfast and whispered something to her husband. For additional contact information: "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this is worth.' "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it memory. from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would your Highness to the police-station?" He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them had picked up in the wood. round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. "Was he the only applicant?" we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and triumphant cloud from his cigarette. these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But "Do you receive much company?" he asked. on in his house." who was a member of your goose club." "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. people don't know." importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an careless servant girl?" garden below. matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was had this final quarrel? in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and front of me. "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' before the coroner and the police-court." understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went "'About the same.' dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to friend's singular character. him." "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is sneer upon his pale face. He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I point our research must commence, and we will begin it by tail." "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called allusion to a rat. that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to events, Mr. Windibank!" self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we Serpentine Avenue. more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and learned something! Where are the gems?" He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by "I should like to see him very much." "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, to miss it." works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain "So it appears." questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so "None." taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little instituted." foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. sneer upon his pale face. destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without for the market.' appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. "Entirely." writers could invent nothing more crude." "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, and a shock of very red hair. looking up at the numbers of the houses." he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the closely." "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father good for you to do.' "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking