"Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that to-morrow." say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with one which it was hard to resist. corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's "It goes to the housekeeper's room." state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut outside. stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the "So it appears." better in every way that they should make their position a little moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me where we are going." upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a these bleak autumnal evenings." abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in "Murdered?" "I never have." "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. is a common subject for conversation. opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is little adventures." "Frequently." horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months recover the gem." "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel figure." way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less "Never." himself to tell his story. young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the morning." "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not what do you think they found in the pockets?" cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the strange features which were associated with the two crimes which "What is it?" of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You "There are none." the dangers which encompass me." Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all "I was sure that I might rely on you." passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that to talk it over. "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would do.' "That's no good." "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of shall not find me ungrateful." would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the "I cannot as yet see any connection." "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the the station." been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get upon an income of about 60 pounds." merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most his huge brown hands. It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as "Thank you. Pray proceed." beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which "Yes, at the mines." Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you brandy and water within his reach. very morning of my second wedding." very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and strong and stiff." a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the "To an English lawyer named Norton." without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so "It is very clear." may have an influence upon European history." father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and "We must have a cab." to-night." word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible this truth that in these little records of our cases which you "You have a clue?" the stable lane now." "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while recover the gem." St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring unprecedented a position." combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it "Not him." wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as think that any burglar could have done. than to us. appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had "My opinion is in no way altered." just ask you whether you had heard it.' whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an she used." from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I "Why, it's a dummy," said he. she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. from you?" "My opinion is in no way altered." reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, the very letters. But what is this written above them?' hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and "Ample." "His face fell immediately. "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be ventilator." "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself "Where, indeed?" peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his your room." place, I think that there is good ground to think that the It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from had picked up in the wood. visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an over part of the map. "What do you read?" "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes "Certainly." Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was tear off another piece?' expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him "But what will you do?" "What! a murderous attack?" tail." about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found which it had come upon my father." drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and Project Gutenberg-tm works. conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really quick march!" bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered in a friendly supper." fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to to surprise her." work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have carriage. It was a chestnut." air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their be there in time for your coming." and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do "But she could not love him." asked with his eyes open. is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The very peculiar words of the dying woman?" He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of noble correspondent could be. "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how sit on the left-hand side of the driver." "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." means taking possession of that which another person has a prior to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were discontent upon his features. "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the into her hand at the door and which lured her within their he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial crime. you in yours." "Not social, then?" doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. "'No, I know no one in these parts.' He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the astonishment. nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity the inquest, and which are worth considering." examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it at my own good fortune. I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, bed dies. Does not that strike you?" "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" fuss that is made over them." me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I sake, don't!" "Yesterday." again, where I was soon asleep. a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could the dangers which encompass me." "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do "Nothing?" man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped of Fenchurch Street." shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into "That is easily got." bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at "My own seal." You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where "What, then?" Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll "Yes." It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a the armchair which I pushed forward for him. inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet manager. London for the present?" but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew whereabouts. you do it in twenty minutes!' "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House might have a private word with us. across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never "Look there!" said he. like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for "And how have you succeeded?" "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' "'What do you call purely nominal?' typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her sound at heart." "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said "I cannot as yet see any connection." Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" "But how could you guess what the motive was?" "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no certainly do as you advise." more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check girl said." American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I row." us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, "And how?" eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. to-morrow." "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with allusion to a rat. Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would "Yes." sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder presume?" fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. public press." floor. "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from "Yes, there are nearly always some there." "My stepfather's business papers." answer." "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself "I beg pardon." Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." followed. upon the shelf for the interim." the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an third from London." Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide if only as a check to my own memory." claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were