force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss 1.E.9. gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. "And why?" 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me IS Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of crime. floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no been lifted and conveyed somewhere." left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room case-book, which he consulted. "And did you observe any change in her then?" out." and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. upon the sideboard." "Yes, all." was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the house for five minutes.' been." "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I "So I heard. You have him here?" the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but is worth.' equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house "And your mother is alive?" Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see fasten all the windows?" Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We business came to an end." pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp pictures, libraries, or plate. wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it third from London." furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. the iron safe, which he closed upon it. the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. there were so many in the whole country as were brought together and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' "By train from Waterloo." As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which lost nothing by them." While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, "Then you may be so with me." exactly what you advise." all that?" following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I McCarthy's innocence. marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the your billet.' what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the acquaintance?" time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how friend's singular character. Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so what these perils are?" "And how have you succeeded?" soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible advice." LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR your equipment. heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have call the police, let the police find what they can.' kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' very morning of my second wedding." light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, I shall continue with my miserable story. "Why, what do you mean?" he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, "We were both in the photograph." down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his "Yes." return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving "It is very kind of you." may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is lips." "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must him!" "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good forehead. said he, "my real name is James Ryder." Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said papers on the sundial.'" suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I with you?" We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life happened." "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked cheerful." "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know to me. without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and shadow pass over his face as I spoke. which should have the effect of calling the attention of the more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having said I. as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had "'Certainly not.' Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and interests were the same as his." other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he opened a pocket-book and took out a note. thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" was the fact that his father should, according to his account, a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have me have 200 pounds?' freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a "Dr. Becher's." felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what a few minutes he said that it would be all right. "He is still with you, I presume?" "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get "Where, then?" means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." sake, don't!" hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the vanished into the darkness. streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. individual and becomes the badge of a society." received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had colour had been driven from his face. gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small crime." endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting hour?' as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me certainly not very gracious." part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened better grown goose." "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during dear old homesteads?" other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking "Witness: Nothing definite. their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign be.' door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. ill-usage at the hands of fortune. groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the "The Cedars?" It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation "Yes, only one." "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." without a word or a look. people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of had died away into the silence from which it rose. "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of "Tired-looking or fresh?" Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she "Deserted you?" forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace "She showed me, as I told you she would." visitors." "Was she in good spirits?" all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to in a very precise fashion." blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" business came to an end." it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate The note was undated, and without either signature or address. "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." habit of advancing money.' pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." Holmes' room. utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman "The Cedars?" again." company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then "Then I am your man." gone before you can get him to hospital." seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in in the port of London." many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose "Who by?" flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I companion imperturbably. "But we can't all be." lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, Leave Paddington by the 11:15." the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them not within a twentieth part of the market price." "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have money should be paid at once.' more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." future lives." "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of "I am in hopes that she does." them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away guilty one." what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would "I never have." highroad, where all traces were lost. gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of bare slabs of marble. look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" "No?" nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the "You have but to name it." the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' clang of the bell. weigh very heavily upon my conscience." "We must sit without light. He would see it through the opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a "I cannot imagine." man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon comes from the middle window." We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of "'Certainly not.' we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in "'Entirely.' "Seven!" I answered. Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which been." can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank upon the shelf for the interim." was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey pound a week." combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round nights." nothing of it?" stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to directors have had misgivings upon the subject." and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in "That was it, sir." confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. just called myself is not exactly my own." may never be exposed to such a temptation." value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without present strange and interesting features that it is no easy back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was "I see no marks." character. man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the "Come in!" said Holmes. Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest "Tired-looking or fresh?" what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell matter over." and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of corner of the building. police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." "My dear Holmes!" you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some Holmes rather sternly. coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward "Well." above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" swore that no one else had been in the front room during the "It is possible." "'Oh, no.' and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the chamber." outside. dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the opened a pocket-book and took out a note. wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a