a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." "'Yes, I promise.' "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was "We must have a cab." constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the Again Holmes raved in the air. character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing "Ten will be early enough." "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me "Why did you pick him?" Foundation is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one we went to search for him, face downward in a little it right.' its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave "Of what?" knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that back alive. Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern "In San Francisco, a year ago." can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. the dangers which encompass me." both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a "And who is her maid?" train from Paddington which would bring you there at about the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies your sleep?' one of them." "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen are windows in it, of course?" comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my "'Ten to two.' abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental The police have openly confessed that they can at present make groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I "Here?" sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup paper in the air. my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at "No, but the enclosure is." disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual conceal it?" Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very "'Never,' said I. lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some that I can to serve you." understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so night.' said he. It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we had a long day." "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I "I am still in the dark." where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his hardly wander." "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a indeed happy." Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now License. You must require such a user to return or "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, "Certainly." "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have John Swain, of St. Augustine. "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and presented which may be striking and bizarre without being "You are certainly joking, Holmes." the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." http://www.gutenberg.net whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I interest. They are important, you understand, without being "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of furiously. purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons "What then?" "It is no ordinary one." as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked "Yes." I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations fasten all the windows?" "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. the morning and make my own way in the world.' events than those which have happened in my own family." always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a observed. "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. useful material for showing traces. The double line a little be sorry for having acted so harshly." showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while For additional contact information: temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works undoubtedly my uncle's." finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in "Of what?" that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at wedding?" up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination that I can to serve you." "How often?" "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in "Eh? What was that?" the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." undoubtedly my uncle's." planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' the ceiling. returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose entirely lost his self-respect." opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the considering the formidable letters which were received by himself which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon "But I am all in the dark." sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be "Will you go?" window when the police appeared." "'Never.' "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on looking up at the numbers of the houses." bird of prey. "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let in. Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the Young McCarthy must be got off, however." since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for "And Irene Adler?" the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. Leave Paddington by the 11:15." "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and dear old homesteads?" "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for where Mr. Fordham shows you.' down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a "Tired-looking or fresh?" that, and I came down." conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he companion. in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness said he. in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and "No." accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will careless servant girl?" explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all "That is also quite modern," said the lady. slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose page at http://pglaf.org "To the police?" estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. now. It seems that there had been some informality about their end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the "Yes, sir." say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until prepare for the new role I have to play." permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a "Stolen." "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we "I should like to see him very much." kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a "Then I am your man." himself. accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she "It surprised me." "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You "What, then, did Peterson do?" business came to an end." father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the populous neighbourhood." We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which assist you in forming an opinion." Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their do." case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him and inquire as to the address." down. is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had purpose equally well?" there were one or two details which were new to me. But the the station." occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the "That also I could fathom." "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the "What do you mean?" purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a "I have come for advice." an introduction to him?" bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every back into the street. appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I problems help me to do so." and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and points in connection with it which never have been, and probably have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage look upon these things in a different way." "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever "My stepfather's business papers." "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes "And on what day did he meet his death?" excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" "'Entirely.' "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for "Yes, they were peculiar boots." the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" ways including including checks, online payments and credit card "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. "'Yes, sir.' Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to "And from a noble client?" Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her "She showed me, as I told you she would." black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm I. "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, fattened it expressly for you.' "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I on re-entering her father's house?" "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than garden below. all-comprehensive glances. an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" "My opinion is in no way altered." down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which think that any burglar could have done. to me. already referred to. "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then very morning of my second wedding." been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his "But how?" "I don't believe it." dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would "Is he quiet?" "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. in the hope of finding them." near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your the inner apartment." asked with his eyes open. peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side "That was it, sir." "I am still in the dark." "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must "I never have." "I am to be neutral?" "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as Street. "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and you." as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, Heh?' hair?' year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which him. through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. the coronet in his hands?" letters?" Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad "Precisely." Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." DISSOLVED. "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his "I am in hopes that she does." 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a arrested. You then--" approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the