must be when I saw the door open.' when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has whereabouts. There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise "I am in hopes that she does." way in." previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this "Nothing." details should find their way into the papers. Inspector "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may "I say it is." case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and will he say when he returns?" moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in "The murder was done with it." own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." "'Stolen!' he cried. send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the tell me that you intended to go into harness." roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has "Yes." located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from hardly wander." think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper been shamefully used." "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" gbnewby@pglaf.org that I can to serve you." old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door "'Ten to two.' It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil "But I am all in the dark." "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I giving me time to thank him. "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray "'Stolen!' he cried. his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to papers diligently of late, have you not?" "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City "Do you go out much in society?" "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip there when the Rucastles went away." telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his "Imitated." Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm "Why? What do you mean?" considering the formidable letters which were received by himself smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! papers must be those that are destroyed.' whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was the tragedy. I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a the south-west, I see." he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and "'Ample.' walking." "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have "What can it mean?" I gasped. 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and it with his own hands." woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the infinite languor in his face. "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was opened the door, and slipped through. "Yes, he did." him to be an active member of the medical profession." "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes "In the cells." woman." She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a "Then I shall certainly come." Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the were unconscious?" way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of peculiar to him. the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was "I cannot imagine." probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." "Certainly, madam." "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which "Yes." harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to "Yes." dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third to his chemical studies. "Seven!" I answered. wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And "But she could not love him." "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that "I will do it." for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even "No. His orders were to stay in the house." "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were he bowed and left the room without another word. settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear directly by questioning you." be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward "Of what day?" nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite details." had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email confronted him. actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue "Why, what do you mean?" the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. discontent upon his features. wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the people don't know." "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may and glanced through. "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather made his money." "Your French gold?" was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I "Yes, at the mines." sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had she might be summoned. ways including including checks, online payments and credit card my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no had picked up in the wood. should be so warm over such a trifle." felt?" such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something the iron safe, which he closed upon it. world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have helping a boy to put up the shutters. fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you goes." which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of use an arc-and-compass breastpin." sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of the side-table." his eyes and forehead. quickly through a disagreeable task. "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time and the colonel ushered me in. "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector their singular warning or token before them when starting upon you found me to-night--and running through the front room she "'It is locked up,' I answered. circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. "'Why that?' I asks. repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat prepare for the new role I have to play." will be renamed. ago." "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of have been better. It is all right." impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been your only hope of safety." may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed awkward doing business with an alias." it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would bare slabs of marble. maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. "Very truly yours, the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I be. Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, now. It seems that there had been some informality about their during that time.' the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you the roots. returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing stepfather?" mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, "You have a clue?" "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a skylight. "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." envelope. send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more you give your casting vote to?" "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards brandy and water within his reach. rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he "Not particularly." classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to "What have you done?" asked Holmes. change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of "And Irene Adler?" It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, to-night?" I asked. tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way where she found matters as described by the last witness. think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." "Nearly eleven." room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing "Did you become engaged then?" rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have upon the shelf for the interim." centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "And the cigar-holder?" away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better nice household for a young lady." visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of memory. it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." the running down." I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed national property. I was determined that the law should have its "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to morning." 11:15.' moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the read it out to me." there in twenty minutes." recall any case within my experience which looked at the first three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the I held the little printed slip to the light. of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than way in everything. in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his "And I to find an enemy." suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately "'Oh, no.' "Holmes, the busybody!" whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. breakfast?" "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. been lifted and conveyed somewhere." "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that "Why did you beat the pavement?" threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in very old mansion. "Of Friday, June 19th." "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away my former friend and companion. and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that "What are they?" he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more followed. with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it fasten all the windows?" occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' presented more singular features than that which was associated through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you "I was sure that I might rely on you." foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' "You have it, sir, just as it happened." even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but "Very truly yours, the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences "I cannot say that I have." cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to "What! a murderous attack?" suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the instincts rose up against that laugh. With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he The events in question occurred in the early days of my his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but "Proceed, then." printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the