village inn over there?" heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man "Your presence might be invaluable." slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, "Then what has happened to him?" "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her "Perhaps I have." 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project "Witness: It was. "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my place, I think that there is good ground to think that the done what I asked you, Jones?" star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of go--none." and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, "We have tried and failed." hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. Mary, has deserted me." to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with "Holmes, the busybody!" a good hundred miles off by now." "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. not come at once?" "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment My friend smiled. "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the delirious. fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), with her." Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from "Then the page we have seen--" like that before?" complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as maiden herself was most instructive." "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to "You don't mind breaking the law?" One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, window when the police appeared." zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and few hundred pounds.' chill to my heart. request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. of the one which your family is now devouring." machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it Farm upon the left." test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a said Mr. Holder. permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen opened a pocket-book and took out a note. My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, "Perfectly so." "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon have accepted such a situation. "It certainly sounds feasible." of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the "What is it?" "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught of this gang." "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. introspective fashion. chamber." by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in "But his lameness?" houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of "But I have heard all that you have heard." safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought over here." and capable of preserving a secret.' neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. you in your example." finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but side. and inquire as to the address." intrusion of other matters." The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing bird I ate is country bred." suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the "In what way?" asked Holmes. "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. "And I to find an enemy." it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We "What can it mean?" I gasped. "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much coroner's jury." of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and "Do you know him?" "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I interested in these little problems, and since you are good unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from been able to understand it, in a very few words. From what you have told me I think that it is possible that possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into the child." may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child never came back." same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the lost nothing by them." sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon "'Yes, sir.' King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his it were putty." man. "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my even of instruction." skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look flock.' There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and happened." furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the Countess of Morcar's?" "Was the window open?" phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while question. that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts villagers almost as much as their master. "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." in darkness. quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my key turn in the lock." "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on question," said Holmes, smiling. such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your But Holmes shook his head gravely. moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling entirely lost his self-respect." answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small "Yes." "I would give my fortune to have them back." "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came to have been novel and of interest." flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear "Ha! you find it so?" "My stepfather's business papers." security.' "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. and looked back. out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his "No bad?" deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the writing, and yet I know it well." "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good "Holmes, the busybody!" elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" "But you would not advise me to refuse?" Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty without a word or a look. by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the "But she will refuse." used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the "I fear not." "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still anything to a woman, for she would have her way." Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to delirious. lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock "Always." English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." then?" "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of "'What do you call purely nominal?' Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. as yours." snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be "But what is it you wish?" ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was the south-west, I see." found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' about. surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes present." Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is "Whose house is it?" volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are James Windibank. Voilà tout!" the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us "And Irene Adler?" pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a "To an end?" was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day "'Why that?' I asks. "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even persecution?" "I will get her to show me." "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." overpowering excitement and concern. giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you Holmes. "Very truly yours, and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the cigar and let me expound." owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of case-book, which he consulted. "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. "No, but the enclosure is." "It is a murder, then?" could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence woman." As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we detained." this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your "Where is it, then?" learned something! Where are the gems?" room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. conversation I have gathered that they have been married about considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been just called myself is not exactly my own." and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' "The landlord of the Alpha." suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, me have 200 pounds?' very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back events than those which have happened in my own family." "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and than to us. his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to think that he is innocent?" "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, friends, not even his own brother. grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of three of the beryls in it, was missing. "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" results." shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to "Upon what point?" over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a hour?' the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It "Was she in good spirits?" question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." a monotonous occupation." "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream dates and names. happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive assist you in forming an opinion." "Bought." child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, "Why? What do you mean?" dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' "And what did you see?" who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." Munro.' low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the at my own good fortune. ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much second." afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from the so-precious time, but come!' "No, distinctly professional." an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable trifles." "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it must be when I saw the door open.' "Very truly yours, deduce something from that?" landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit never came back." was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have the matter." way in everything. returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one present." the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set might have a private word with us. beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was that I can to serve you." "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside hard-headed British jury." with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative your co-operation." hair?' Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of "Yes." whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who subject to the trademark license, especially commercial grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted himself in a perplexing position. "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless paper in the air. "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold you came in." that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were "What can you not understand?" than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that