this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by "And Irene Adler?" when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" You can understand that this register and diary may implicate little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." October 9, 1890. that I may have something better before very many minutes are "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I skylight. sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. lost nothing by them." "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the only touch the interest." remarked. intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending this unhappy family?" But Holmes shook his head gravely. Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the a monotonous occupation." a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any to have that photograph." humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the and effective." inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and "Then, how do you know?" "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should "Entirely." the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the back alive. "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall "Yes, he did." that?' "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on in one or two places in England?' "Then I am your man." characteristics, but those are the more obvious." "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There ran thus: wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with "I don't say that. Perhaps." tassel actually lying upon the pillow. his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said "I cannot imagine." lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, entirely lost his self-respect." any more." Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as intimate personal affairs in this public manner." lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." "At what time?" called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this "But what is it you wish?" depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to which our visitor detailed to us. end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a do.' at once, for I have only half an hour." with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I villagers almost as much as their master. diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do "'Quite sure, dad.' "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's "I would give my fortune to have them back." success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the "That is it on the dressing-table." branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as in the dead of the night?' have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, bed dies. Does not that strike you?" profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on "The landlord of the Alpha." Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business he. to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." point our research must commence, and we will begin it by brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was believe that I should never have any practice at all. civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she from you?" when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear both be extremely obliged.' where Mr. Fordham shows you.' "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. DAMAGE. Heh?' in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran see a sister of mine apply for." seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at "Yes, the wine-cellar." was used.' "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to "Indeed! Whose, then?" He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, pound a week." over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was "What of the rat, then?" pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I From what you have told me I think that it is possible that few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came tightly behind him. "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each "'Why that?' I asks. 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." "How many? I don't know." and I shall be with you presently." Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, throat." "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that or other trace. But how on earth--" His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and said he at last. "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, "Your presence might be invaluable." hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered guilty one." pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the "'Yes, sir.' "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody "It's nothing of the kind." stammered. "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a open." fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he "'Why that?' I asks. contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my "You know me, then?" "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single recall any case within my experience which looked at the first "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and "Oh, fresh and glossy." indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." photograph a cabinet?" "What do you make of that, Watson?" Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional "'I have heard so.' in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to tell them apart.' Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did Gutenberg-tm License. double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare happened." in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these be best to do. important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The row." "Never to return." was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and opened the door, and slipped through. young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell heavily into it. took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting might have a private word with us. country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." tail." dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." "Yes, it was twisted." weighed down with some great anxiety. was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party ventilator." America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, since then to throw any light upon what became of him." like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his appeared upon the scene." twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at "He said too much." pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, "I don't say that. Perhaps." agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a you." that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." problems help me to do so." "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. and it need not interfere very much with one's other "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon developed." his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a "One?" which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a that before taking the final step I should like to submit the clang of the bell. Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be "I will do it." behind me. of this gang." o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. congenial hunt. search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean "There is the writing." "'What do you call purely nominal?' A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable "Deserted you?" character. shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the any more." Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side most interesting one." "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted tell them apart.' she might be summoned. "But you would not advise me to refuse?" the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway singular points about the case. What did the police think of the window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about "Where, then?" in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped affection." so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the not personally threatened." "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded "Yes, at the mines." than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing some water from a caraffe. man. 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. "It is very clear." running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his disappearance of these gems?" every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I "No. What a strange idea!" said he. of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." "Of what?" receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious nothing with him." "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding "'And what are they worth?' I asked. beyond words. "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt Foundation "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of one else, I think." green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." whole matter to your consideration." anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and back to my heart. connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is for and were ordered to this address. case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and McCarthy's innocence. "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. "Holmes, the busybody!" chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, "No. What a strange idea!" observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a Arthur Conan Doyle "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very "This photograph!" my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. here and I will read it to you: and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather she used." King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had really the only notable feature about the thing." work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The of Mr. Rucastle's." would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and of a light. face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he