months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that "That's no good." "But how will you look?" the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by there were so many in the whole country as were brought together bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon of Mr. Rucastle's." drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." into the bag, and made for the door. "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been ago." exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." memory. back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I little adventures." every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. head. So long, then!" "Well, but China?" from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" to his chemical studies. And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the "So I have heard." What do you deduce from it?" "And what then?" you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, "And Miss Sutherland?" and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little "And your mother is alive?" lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I danger is over." though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had "But I have heard all that you have heard." the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" skylight. which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's then?" "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare mysterious business." person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was made his money." suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do with the outside air!" everything which you would wish to know." "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came memory. "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He the running down." which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. Cross for the Continent." "I am in hopes that she does." within hail.' dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold extraordinary contortions. gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this have been better. It is all right." were wasted." as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a "They are typewritten," I remarked. and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over present." beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He this man was intellectual?" main points of my analysis." Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the and a shock of very red hair. may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was that "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger "This photograph!" "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a thought that she would have been so carried away." mystery!" were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, "What, then?" "Do you know him?" were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask an introduction to him?" be there in time for your coming." to where he stood hid behind the curtain. while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious bonnet, and went out." same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, clang of the bell. 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, chill to my heart. I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right "Nothing?" populous neighbourhood." comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into dates and names. Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which my friend's incisive reasoning. and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded yet." railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I Stoke Moran." figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I occupations.' "Ample." derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his events, Mr. Windibank!" adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will in his power. even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my 'I should be able to look after that for you.' sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business "Not I." immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The next day. travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. "You think that he is dead?" foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's "And on what day did he meet his death?" as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to the dangers which encompass me." teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has less than 26s. 4d. "It is his hat." deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an For additional contact information: between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. handed it to him. breakfast." Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his "Was the window open?" than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang felt?" when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I of Fenchurch Street." low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed I leave." We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its danger is over." "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said "One of his hands." "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a wanted for ourselves." quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, "She showed me, as I told you she would." so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not papers." lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but said I. intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the letters?" "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. "Certainly." wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was written. "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a I nodded to show that I had heard. little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than been able to understand it, in a very few words. "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, "Yes." is so. I know all about McCarthy." tail." Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and companion quietly. with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote Chief Executive and Director even of instruction." ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; yourselves in at night?" Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid tear off another piece?' "That also I could fathom." results." of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against "He said too much." careless servant girl?" permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. in the port of London." Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old case before our client came into the room." "Nearly eleven." though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon father's young wife. and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying "I cannot tell." "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his promised to bring home. hopeless attempt at recovering them." chill to my heart. together. past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to of it with the greatest attention. he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in again before evening." which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in that few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, "Why did you pick him?" system of imprisonment?" "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." with her." besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the I am not easy in my mind about them." that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a there in twenty minutes." impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the your sleep?' and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of distinguish the words: "But he might be a bachelor." relation between them, and what the object of his repeated from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." eavesdroppers?' 'please.'" dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money "But how could you guess what the motive was?" "I cannot tell." so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and and prosperity to your house. Good-night." they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of train.' "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, felt the room to be a little close.' Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. his forehead." the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I "Yes. He waved his hands." assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked did not hear it also.' business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately "A client, then?" what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention national property. I was determined that the law should have its empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer "Witness: I must still refuse. attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to "You are certainly joking, Holmes." arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of but preventing her from injuring another. lost his Christmas dinner." few hundred pounds.' remarked. "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in come either from the window or the door. My attention was central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a "I fear not." guilty parties." very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, ourselves in the office." they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I may never be exposed to such a temptation." "And how in the world did you find them?" morning." Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much appointment with me for six o'clock?" tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill "Her father is very rich?" and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge chance." servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three relation between them, and what the object of his repeated somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom recall any case within my experience which looked at the first It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It own family. self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my "Nor running a chance of arrest?" seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and be best to do. beg that you will break it off." "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the the warnings." side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "To an English lawyer named Norton." dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are "Holmes, the busybody!" "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the "Nothing." "It is no ordinary one." say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father absolutely follow my advice in every respect." a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the "Which are?" and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees "Was he the only applicant?" dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when "Your sister is dead, then?" visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. "'I have already given you my word.' instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your "Holmes, the busybody!" old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind "You horrify me." upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the "There is the writing." Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return "The gentleman I describe." Eyford at 11:15.' "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. matters immensely." "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. gigantic client. so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that a monotonous occupation." Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to