this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the in a friendly supper." it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window "You will not go there first?" quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for one of them." my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to "What shall I do?" "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a "It's nothing of the kind." mystery." purpose equally well?" bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found details." of it with the greatest attention. "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting II. "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would there in twenty minutes." criminal. We have already had experience of such." through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a about. had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the anything to a woman, for she would have her way." why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the "My last client of the sort was a king." son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers affection." How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the and effective." half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward time." "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room comes from the middle window." in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in "'What are you doing there?' he asked. the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. "'Which dealer's?' electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the was feeling which was the fattest.' things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple "Witness: Nothing definite. not within a twentieth part of the market price." "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an begun to whiten, even as mine has." "It looks newer than the other things?" "The Coroner: What do you mean? Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful secret." "About a month then." feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, "Yes." "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" photograph a cabinet?" "How many? I don't know." "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his now. It seems that there had been some informality about their "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' will not take me long to tell. "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. "Very truly yours, "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such "Was there a secret marriage?" "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when "But you have hopes?" "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" "My dear Holmes!" thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the "I guessed as much." common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to "Do you receive much company?" he asked. and the colonel ushered me in. going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. spare." the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the "Then, as to money?" Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there 1.F. the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was Chief Executive and Director and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the locked." the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an the armchair which I pushed forward for him. resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side "'Stolen!' he cried. observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets during which he might have communicated with his friend the "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely "But how did you gain them?" "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting now. It seems that there had been some informality about their in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do ways including including checks, online payments and credit card constraint." nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be "Do you know him?" "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for "Have you it here?" Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it the very letters. But what is this written above them?' purpose of examination. before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will "None. Neville wrote those words." against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, "At what time?" of Fenchurch Street." "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I roused himself from his reverie. "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew "Where to?" "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, "What will you say?" upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have mysterious end." dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the "What can you not understand?" was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back imbecility!" he cried. remarked. "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord power." Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them felt?" side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I "Pray do so." "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their My friend smiled. and shall probably return to London by the evening train." "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" if she died from some sudden fright." - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I entirely devoid of interest." woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project directors have had misgivings upon the subject." down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will "That is also quite modern," said the lady. "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the in the dead of the night?' France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of posted to-day." "No, thank goodness, she did not." was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the bedroom door." the very letters. But what is this written above them?' Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove unprofitable." And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy "I will try. What is it?" the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing "By no means." pity, because in other respects you would really have done very "I was certainly surprised to find you there." used to be." wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his think that any burglar could have done. superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." again." in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you him to go away.' take the flies, but not before." "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are I was concerned in it." "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole least a most suspicious remark." however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were system of imprisonment?" glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You unclasping of his long thin hands. gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of during the last few years, and there are many noble families to Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and voice, changing her seat as requested. disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. the coronet at all injured?" sound at heart." new acquaintance to Baker Street. end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had "It is true that I have been generally successful." "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you had no one to advise her at such a crisis." to take care of herself." "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and shadow pass over his face as I spoke. to take care of herself." "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a of campaign. two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." "May I see it?" showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote you." noise which awoke you from your sleep?" obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged key turn in the lock." "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the good-night and bustled off upon her way. "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your to you." lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came "Not particularly." I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall Street. learned something! Where are the gems?" orange pips. held up the lantern and gazed about him. difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. "And why?" "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we some place of shelter and let the county police know what has through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack bears upon the case?" fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly as the one I chose?' "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed putting in the horse. moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood writer." cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in notes," he said. France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the must be when I saw the door open.' Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of do." should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord I shall continue with my miserable story. America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. once more. man. 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the the coronet in his hand?" through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. point in the dark hollow of his hand. "From his hat?" inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his the coroner come to?" "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel noting anything else of interest. "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return "By all means." black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There character. "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," meant it for the best. clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are mystery." matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But occurred." "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. frequently gained my first real insight into the character of from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for questionable one." III. "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love furiously. my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit the house with me." "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do quickly through a disagreeable task. Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As "Nothing." him nearly every evening." "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 little trying to do so much typewriting?" commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just "Precisely." "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her and wait." "And I say east," said my patient. round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which when you have done it." Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. experiences." fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. "Not particularly." "'Certainly not.' knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, foot. "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes.