To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard Stoke Moran." bird of prey. society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after ventilator." question. Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the touch that coronet?' "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very "My last client of the sort was a king." eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that closely." ventilator." jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it did not hear it also.' "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." never will be, entirely cleared up. succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of and the church but not where the lady lived." rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said success. One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that your billet.' could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, it were putty." it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and "No." The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which the ceiling. certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; had formerly been in part my own. gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' lectures into a series of tales." "You think so, too?" methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked "Where, indeed?" advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, the so-precious time, but come!' "Yes. He waved his hands." easy-going way." reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong sake, don't!" "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and formed some opinion?" its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined electronic works "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a "Why did you beat the pavement?" "No. What a strange idea!" access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of here and I will read it to you: invisible to me," I remarked. her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through "What is it, then--a fire?" his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the entirely lost his self-respect." "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how some terrible trap for her." fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, yards of it?' All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar child?' on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates fled together." of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" do.' "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" pity, because in other respects you would really have done very "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It it." "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." garden below. "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, "So I have heard." whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it existence." "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the you." bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a passage and a tap at the door. low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of status with the IRS. "Very much so." "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" weighed down with some great anxiety. this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, "BALLARAT." home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used "I fear not." not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of "The best possible." caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and some city in a dream. married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely there was no need for father to know." "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall outside." and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action companion. "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in "A call for help, you thought?" also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a "What shall I do?" which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, present." a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open it right.' "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. to-night." Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to himself. when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform "So I am. Very much so." families. Now for the facts. was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so "'What would be the hours?' I asked. "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have "What office?" in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty "Upon what point?" "How many? I don't know." you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, "It is a murder, then?" is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He advice." relation between them, and what the object of his repeated devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do one of them." saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep delirious. made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you a good hundred miles off by now." state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of the very letters. But what is this written above them?' which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. Pool. human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between Holmes rather sternly. "'What, the red-headed man?' as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. unprofitable." "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and becomes even more simple." The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an "Stolen." head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary arrested. You then--" "And why?" stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door bill, which interests me deeply." heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect from the brougham. "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me excitement. play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It little trying to do so much typewriting?" "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. room had already been engaged for us. me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards "Here?" "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to I think that I could be of assistance to you." believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you garden below. We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her residence of the great financier. conclusions. request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been any more." Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers drove away. "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by at my own good fortune. came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman anything to a woman, for she would have her way." all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the "Yes." Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and key turn in the lock." tear off another piece?' "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have "He is dead," cried several voices. clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your narrative." "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. "Yes, he did." more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in in this way: returned to France?" "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight "And the cigar-holder?" in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" "The knees of his trousers." tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of your bag." There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest you." possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some "Yes." without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. "What have you done?" asked Holmes. "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have "'Oh, no.' in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey place, I think that there is good ground to think that the little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to memory. "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, occupations.' more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now "At what time?" we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and "And what did you learn from him?" not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. "What will you say?" acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I vague figure huddled up in the darkness. - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if thought that she would have been so carried away." circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, heavy and sharp instrument." pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the national property. I was determined that the law should have its "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' "In the cells." inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was Arthur Conan Doyle so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern "Murdered?" along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped Edgeware Road. to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the Foundation to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to presented which may be striking and bizarre without being to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, "What I expected to see." "Bought." in his hands." metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' him to go away.' He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering his eyes and forehead. enough to aid us in our search." "Have you her photograph?" where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, States. part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous "Your sister is dead, then?" business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was before, for it was considerably after midnight. "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the "Do you go out much in society?" interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should that?' "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. murdered man." provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were "Won't it ring?" huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had