more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and "Proceed, then." "No. His orders were to stay in the house." "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to "But it has twice been burgled." tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. noting anything else of interest. "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her not use it unless it is absolutely needed." already been minutely examined." protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in "I should be immensely obliged to you." Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere in a friendly supper." the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is paper in the air. admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for "I cannot tell." which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his row." cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he shadow pass over his face as I spoke. we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and noise which awoke you from your sleep?" across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while that he will be back before evening." another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the sentimental considerations in the background which would induce "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' place of silver." smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than as the one I chose?' their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant Leadenhall Street--and--" friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. "Why did you pick him?" remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary "This photograph!" carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was "And Irene Adler?" for and were ordered to this address. was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent His name is Francis Prosper." "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to only touch the interest." "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a "Yes, sir." the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or "By no means." "Frequently." "That you are never beaten." light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very stammered. the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost call for protection in the marriage market, for the present "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may open." children over to America with him, so that I found myself without "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the "Why serious?" had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, burst into a hearty fit of laughter. possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, as this. Pray let me have the details." all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this away to you." property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very occupations.' mysterious end." "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one ill-usage at the hands of fortune. back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! excitement. name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of the window, rose as we entered. "No, distinctly professional." "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do "None." "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a never will be, entirely cleared up. to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the himself. Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. even of instruction." have not had my rubber." multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' "Then you may entirely rely on me." the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly had died away into the silence from which it rose. edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a "Where is it, then?" see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is "Not particularly." very old mansion. object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. and inquire as to the address." "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless "Come in!" said Holmes. that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes "'Never.' the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous minor matters until to-morrow." am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he "Of what?" left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon some water from a caraffe. weapon." "Really! You surprise me." forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no been able to understand it, in a very few words. the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a "I have my revolver," said I. "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven "May I see it?" son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is chair. knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but "The best possible." responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, me what he had done with the three missing stones. into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention "At what time?" "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining "But how?" come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one was used.' thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is would then never go into court at all." everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's "And what did you learn from him?" "But what harm can there be in that?" everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey details should find their way into the papers. Inspector snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the outside." village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. better grown goose." "Look there!" said he. minor matters until to-morrow." practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon undoubtedly my uncle's." writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small "I would give my fortune to have them back." "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the "Tired-looking or fresh?" The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid had no one to advise her at such a crisis." address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall ways including including checks, online payments and credit card "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. Count Von Kramm." "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." "Yes." and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive that there was nothing in it, after all." He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same "No, thank goodness, she did not." upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." "Perhaps we may make them less so." "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you directors have had misgivings upon the subject." breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill showing my impatience. and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save "But your client--" shoulder; "he's all right." call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face "'And what salary do you ask?' an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black "He said that you could solve anything." towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." eavesdroppers?' "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." your room." recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I Mrs. Toller serenely. salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking Edgeware Road. Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after province." The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit "BALLARAT." from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out "Dirty?" in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as "Certainly." was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year Holmes' thin, eager face. and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about pound a week." outbreak?" them present such singular features as the strange train of brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of Holmes' face clouded over. freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I lips." where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine of Fenchurch Street." hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself Countess of Morcar's?" he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a salesman. a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim stood on the top of it. a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such "'What would be the hours?' I asked. gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the himself to tell his story. the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were the coronet in his hand?" leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." distinguish the words: distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with had no one to advise her at such a crisis." "But what will you do?" much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For companion. the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a my former friend and companion. "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. the nursery. the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR appeal." thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. "On Monday." door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe mysterious end." man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such and have this put in the evening papers." suggested at once that there must be a communication between the person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the