"Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may "What steps will you take?" I asked. The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to the room while you explain this matter?" "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, learned something! Where are the gems?" there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but companion. from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the wanted for ourselves." "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with "And how in the world did you find them?" remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men point in the dark hollow of his hand. his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made outbreak?" neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a "And your mother is alive?" which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted "She showed me, as I told you she would." news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. companion imperturbably. "Never." "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming strength in the others." were new raised from a basin. perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he was feeling which was the fattest.' what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his existence." window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and on in his house." pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of always that they were such commands as a lady might with happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others writer." all-comprehensive glances. matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich "Thank you. Pray proceed." rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an "But of what society?" Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." amused." seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but said he. journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us that you can jump it.' "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. walking." cheerful." of Fenchurch Street." corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax "None." papers must be those that are destroyed.' "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and in a very precise fashion." "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was "He is dead," cried several voices. "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me "'In my own bureau.' "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his to Leatherhead. only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. gone before you can get him to hospital." "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if hour?' "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his "But your client--" wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by money should be paid at once.' "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my "Eh? What was that?" Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put the date of his supposed suicide." "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have "But he might be a bachelor." the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in figure." "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this redistribution. "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an envelope. gentleman's clothes. one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, "And now?" I asked. "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he "What shall I do?" chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. their singular warning or token before them when starting upon "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with was the fact that his father should, according to his account, "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, notes," he said. Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the "'It is locked up,' I answered. "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after will be renamed. "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said License. You must require such a user to return or should be so warm over such a trifle." looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you "How did you deduce the select?" bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." "This concluded the examination of the witness." sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There standing smiling on the door-step. "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of depend upon your compliance." against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the "And leave your case unfinished?" conceal it?" room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these as noiselessly as she had come. imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one strong and stiff." "Well, some hundreds of times." "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let the very morning of the wedding." who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your McCarthy's innocence. a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard he. Serpentine Avenue. flock.' which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and new duties?' thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of http://gutenberg.net/license). "Not in a good cause." The summons was a brief and urgent one. "'What then?' I asked. ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of details." going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. questionable one." man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates excitement. London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" "What! You do not mean bodies?" week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and interested in these little problems, and since you are good child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work "Where did he live, then?" cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. noble correspondent could be. I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have situation." his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all you." and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I "'Yes, I promise.' way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I "No, but the enclosure is." the window, rose as we entered. "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a few hundred pounds.' into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' tell him that I know him to be innocent." "Yes." had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was to a more successful conclusion." part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel rose-bushes. "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, "I promise," said Holmes. society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. photograph?" should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed in. lamp in his hand. perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in thought that she would have been so carried away." at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and "Yes, only one." some mystery and the punishment of some crime." of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to there were so many in the whole country as were brought together "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any seen the man in the road." insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his meanly of me." as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so a monotonous occupation." stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular bird I ate is country bred." style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, "'Is 4 pounds a week.' place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their chair. "Oh, the cause is excellent!" X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR your co-operation." in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two maid will bring up your coffee." other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," "On Monday." "The rest you will leave in our hands." impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat cup of tea. "I know where it is." sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close meanly of me." where she found matters as described by the last witness. so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when main points of my analysis." fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the mystery may be cleared along those lines." one which it was hard to resist. morning." about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in as noiselessly as she had come. the side-table." Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she hands. "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in I leave." and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. in his hands." and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever "The Cedars?" ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent "It is his hat." "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly the ceiling. "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of strong and stiff." walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular his cane at the bell-pull. grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then "Yes, he did." locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in answered with a sidelong glance. to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I there were one or two details which were new to me. But the dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have triumphant cloud from his cigarette. view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable me. You must get home instantly and act." "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been digesting their breakfasts at home." me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. burst out into a roar of laughter. hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this bore every mark of being an average commonplace British rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, there has been an enclosure here!" was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. cause to be." the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that "Yes." "We were both in the photograph." the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project IS at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography it means?" begin with, and I had not got mine yet." On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed "By no means." the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do "What will you say?" "Why did you beat the pavement?" suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his see me here to avoid scandal." out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a "No sign of it?" brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is will take you up to see the machine.' will find little credit to be gained out of this case." Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church "Look there!" said he. who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is wall." question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an distance from the station, and there we found the young lady Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way is now desirous of getting those letters back." toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad residence of the great financier. air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, "I will try. What is it?" "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET nonsense.' good-night and bustled off upon her way. go back?" the so-precious time, but come!' Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe