the nursery. "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he had formerly been in part my own. electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do have I gained?" dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon charge against him will break down." "I shall most certainly do so." "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making and shall probably return to London by the evening train." "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it in the port of London." pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something "Nothing." you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who "I have come for advice." ready to-morrow?' not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted be sorry for having acted so harshly." husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim read it out to me." prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle "Look there!" said he. painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to depend upon your compliance." "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by "'Certainly,' I answered. all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would "I don't say that. Perhaps." you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, suspect him." "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." to-night." "In San Francisco, a year ago." vault. "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the at a side door. Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks everything which you would wish to know." make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and of his shoulders. tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant once more. "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his "I say it is." handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a From what you have told me I think that it is possible that unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. the coronet in his hands?" upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came purpose of examination. "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently him to be an active member of the medical profession." quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round cigars in their mouths. "Yes?" "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday conversation I have gathered that they have been married about mystery!" THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the "'Yes, I promise.' days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle "'Never.' should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter "It was." safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the "Really! You surprise me." Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from himself in a perplexing position. Street. near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that never to learn it at all." morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some go--none." green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly His name is Francis Prosper." long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the "And on what day did he meet his death?" Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, ceremony." "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in that, and I came down." long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the "Whose house is it?" have accepted such a situation. "It may not come to that," said Holmes. that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in we went to search for him, face downward in a little "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when "And when will you call?" "Nothing?" headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, ways of our fellow-men." anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped "Not him." humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" with you?" The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The "Stolen." 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." had picked up in the wood. "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while his cane at the bell-pull. "Then I am your man." written, and locked the door of the office after me. and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average read it out to me." so.' said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my think that he is innocent?" room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do at home. "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some power." Surrey." to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was note?" McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from was once confined in the cab my mission was practically But Holmes shook his head gravely. cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in waste of energy." Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently "What have you done?" asked Holmes. Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A my former friend and companion. tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our sake, don't!" isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not been shamefully used." the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never you." quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San country, and eventually married, without anyone having a robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the "What! Had he lost his wife?" whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than the room while you explain this matter?" "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one matter." "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly "In answer to an advertisement." gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the "I have solved it." "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of breakfast?" "Tired-looking or fresh?" of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I you for a few hours?" followed. I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter cup of tea. papers." "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the page at http://pglaf.org counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be promised to bring home. uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as "I am in hopes that she does." morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than said he. earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect seven miles from Eyford Station.' With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the "'Is purely nominal.' The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or your own bird, so if you wish--" Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." Stoke Moran." The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements at once, for I have only half an hour." is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any to have that photograph." one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots thirty. to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary tightly behind him. "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been point our research must commence, and we will begin it by crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by south, for the country is more deserted there." to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no "None." don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works the room while you explain this matter?" which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my fuss that is made over them." has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small "No, I think that I'll take it." beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk Doctor, of the paper and the date." corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." hour?' worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked noting anything else of interest. Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without developed." providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful child?' how narrow had been my escape. known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence their singular warning or token before them when starting upon events, Mr. Windibank!" safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that what these perils are?" case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the room. "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of "Awake, Watson?" he asked. during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time "Where did he live, then?" nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus shall not find me ungrateful." heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could Edgeware Road. when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot for and were ordered to this address. younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, presented which may be striking and bizarre without being "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What soul! here is her carriage at the door." papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without said I. his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his to his chemical studies. "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we strong and stiff." as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his here and I will read it to you: America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said "An accident, I presume?" Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough be there in time for your coming." breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless maid will bring up your coffee." perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is business at Coburg Square is serious." ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for "Precisely so. But how--" "Nothing." "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee "Quite so. She has her freedom." preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I "But how did you gain them?" gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, "'You cannot say what it was?' "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his "What can you not understand?" "Pray tell us what has happened to you." How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt success. donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This bore every mark of being an average commonplace British "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your which our visitor detailed to us. "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these "10th. John Swain cleared. tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. individual and becomes the badge of a society." "How often?" "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who the coronet in his hands?" every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said a suggestive one." reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story to surprise her." Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and get her out of the way." base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the "Yes." of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door "He might." week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up of his shoulders. active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the formed some opinion?" half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." power." "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an