(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of amused." I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what "Where is it, then?" overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and tied." very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut "Certainly, madam." used to be." "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into up this clue while it is still hot." knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off "What are they?" that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. "How do you know, then?" again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" with the outside air!" then?" not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we in this way: protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of papers on the sundial.'" there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this get her out of the way." "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. "You don't mind breaking the law?" postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be details." exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to least a fellow-countryman. tear off another piece?' window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" "'A dozen yards or so.' brain must have something in it." us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and highly," said Holmes. "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; Watson," he said cordially. narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story acquaintance?" even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action held up the lantern and gazed about him. no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off "I have hopes." the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, danger is over." hand, madam?" elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or companion imperturbably. Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known there were one or two details which were new to me. But the year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. upon a handsome competence. along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. foot. down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their tied." connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. where we are going." the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet "Was he the only applicant?" could gather together that I was able to avert another public "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a gives a meaning to it." theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." begin with, and I had not got mine yet." submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now other, as fresh and trim as possible. "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday "Oh, yes, easily." Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." ill-usage at the hands of fortune. were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I "At the wedding breakfast." my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is "Stolen, then." built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed crackling voice. across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and business came to an end." room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was "That was it, sir." confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right "That also I could fathom." impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his absorbing." my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors night.' said he. the very letters. But what is this written above them?' and that he would see to anything that turned up. profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most once more on the important position which you have been fortunate have got?" other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no with you?" Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the tell me that you intended to go into harness." "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per some city in a dream. arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." "No sign of it?" Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other Arthur Conan Doyle cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert "And the cigar-holder?" sentimental considerations in the background which would induce details should find their way into the papers. Inspector "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began back into the street. purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first of Fenchurch Street." on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable the inquest, and which are worth considering." "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or "ARAT," I read. of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 "I should like to see him very much." I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." http://gutenberg.net/license). Doctor, of the paper and the date." "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as in his hands." feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this few hundred pounds.' considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and I took the paper from him and read as follows: him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the despaired of." "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one "You heard nothing yourself last night?" of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss "My stepfather's business papers." firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit Doctor, of the paper and the date." no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could little adventures." little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, bore every mark of being an average commonplace British saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up voice, changing her seat as requested. successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two "Is he quiet?" that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his charge against him will break down." blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw "'I have already given you my word.' It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. instincts rose up against that laugh. quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest felt?" brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and arrangements." I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over was not a bird to be seen there. pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very electronic works "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work "One?" Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his for securing the situation." saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman ready to-morrow?' whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open "No, distinctly professional." "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not Gutenberg-tm License. creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and Count Von Kramm." that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after to take care of herself." turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two it with his own hands." instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again compunction about shooting them down." "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came directors have had misgivings upon the subject." "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I "What have you to say now?" that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to straighten it?" 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you his huge brown hands. "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler up this clue while it is still hot." something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated "I cannot think." a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" meant." property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely written. contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you have I gained?" "But the mystery?" I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to nothing of it?" "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and "But who is he?" This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if gentleman's clothes. "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when to surprise her." "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately certainly not very gracious." within hail.' "A greater distance to travel." "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to where Mr. Fordham shows you.' trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" said he. what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of "My own seal." sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his him.