"Oh! you have seen inside, then?" "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An shall not find me ungrateful." when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the down. in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, "It was a confession," I ejaculated. in this way: License. You must require such a user to return or "On Monday." as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his could not account in any way for the presence of the missing give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" points to suicide?" strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the quite distinctive." a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his there has been an enclosure here!" bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so will take you up to see the machine.' feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the "Look there!" said he. certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new against a man in the prime of life?" seen the man in the road." "I don't believe it." PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were gone. "This photograph!" did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you where she found matters as described by the last witness. myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would "My opinion is in no way altered." other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking that I am arrested." "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the companion quietly. and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near tear off another piece?' so.' which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad appeared upon the scene." "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the "The murder was done with it." "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I business." nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project directors have had misgivings upon the subject." they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the "How on earth--" was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very "'Never.' you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, would apply.' and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great matter." this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for the armchair which I pushed forward for him. suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in "My stepfather's business papers." only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes "And why in hopes?" "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. "It is possible." but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from "'You doubt its value?' he asked. There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and what these perils are?" hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in mystery!" aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case go from here to the Strand." A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my anything to a woman, for she would have her way." what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your pictures, libraries, or plate. threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 off." "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" cigar and let me expound." "The Cedars?" varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those whether it answered to the description of any of their He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all wedding?" sufficient punishment." into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a "Your presence might be invaluable." was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my long narrative. flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, companion. usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the arrested. You then--" "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He "You don't mind breaking the law?" "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, bill, which interests me deeply." think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left was the fact that his father should, according to his account, to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" grasp, he hurried from the room. so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. point in the dark hollow of his hand. He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. in this note: Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to "'Most admirably.' "Will you go?" still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let me have 200 pounds?' faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me "Have you it here?" Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the flock.' "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to triumphant cloud from his cigarette. very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took memory. "By all means." entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and there were so many in the whole country as were brought together "It is very kind of you." left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only the coronet in his hand?" waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a have I gained?" heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A "But he might be a bachelor." place no limit on the sum I may draw." contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to "To an English lawyer named Norton." "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be "A greater distance to travel." and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. depend upon my doing so.' the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." said he, "my real name is James Ryder." up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly "'Where could I find him?' me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. really the only notable feature about the thing." and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my "In answer to an advertisement." present strange and interesting features that it is no easy in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon you want, then?' "What are they?" what I may call a really hard day's work." maiden herself was most instructive." possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people "Then you may entirely rely on me." in the port of London." "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque passage and a tap at the door. you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And "What is it?" had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not several quiet little villages up there." silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' his wife has ceased to love him." attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question "And how did you find out?" "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was "Will you bet, then?" breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining weighed down with some great anxiety. My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your "You are all wrong." Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his call the police, let the police find what they can.' "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a the warnings." "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that "Can I be of assistance?" lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out approach us with offers to donate. the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." troubles have been weighing upon his mind. "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel "By no means." nothing of it?" or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you "We must have a cab." "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, the Assizes." flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass "What! a murderous attack?" his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with nothing of it?" an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very indeed which he could not unravel. pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up villagers almost as much as their master. into her hand at the door and which lured her within their London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his "I say that I have solved it." "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend outside. looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two of the one which your family is now devouring." a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might use an arc-and-compass breastpin." an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other London for the present?" "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." "Indeed! Whose, then?" faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am "You horrify me." "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, I shall continue with my miserable story. "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first tear off another piece?' your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran "Thank you. Pray proceed." may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." "It looks newer than the other things?" "Then I am your man." expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." questioning and rather startled gaze. "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken here." seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I into the room. Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. business." "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There hardly wander." "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, them?" Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider in darkness. she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang "He said too much." male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how of your young ladies.' but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On "No good news?" "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the figure." but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was "Dr. Becher's." widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite province." supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day "Yesterday." "It is to him that this trophy belongs." 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission following enigmatical notices: his face which made him a very different person to the round, remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. thought that she would have been so carried away." III. an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend to a light-house. Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was DAMAGE. acted in my house last night?" to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary once more. of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who said I. "But the mystery?" named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your crime." and capable of preserving a secret.' overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I "I came to find a friend." and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at as the one I chose?' "Pray be precise as to details," said he. observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most "One horse?" interjected Holmes. the very letters. But what is this written above them?' relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the "You have carte blanche." maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a trying to your nerves." increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and clanging. constraint." "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see clanging. offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up morning." abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a I nodded again. second." first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he "I am armed." every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily not use it unless it is absolutely needed." mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On bonnet, and went out." find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of is now desirous of getting those letters back." The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more