fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the frequently gained my first real insight into the character of "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the useful material for showing traces. The double line a little when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable outsides of the windows. "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the and glanced through. "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. astonishment. events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to is four-and-twenty." another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was "Will you go?" from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with "I will not look." gentleman's clothes. "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that was used.' open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible forehead. "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of evidence," I remarked. to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same "How often?" "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my "But she could not love him." and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever secret." "And from a noble client?" word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm in the dead of the night?' "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and "No more words. Get out!" Mrs. Toller serenely. clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to nothing with him." fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only ordinary clothes on?" used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, mystery may be cleared along those lines." footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus roused himself from his reverie. fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." "I say it is." "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new this man was intellectual?" dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" overpowering excitement and concern. receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a to tell." Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the strong reason behind." handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a gigantic client. "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can "I cannot imagine." very old mansion. "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be lamp in his hand. "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting putting in the horse. compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of to change my dress. Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent "You saw the ventilator, too?" constraint." plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do "'And the work?' the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from bird I ate is country bred." but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon heavy and sharp instrument." sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, "On your arm?" bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in which are rolled in Rotterdam." that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced you in yours." and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with that I am arrested." have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my voice. then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and to miss it." arrangements." and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me "We must sit without light. He would see it through the going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. silent! Oh, he will be silent!' "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble "Her father is very rich?" it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. Eyford." "Not him." that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, off." police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. him and tried to hold him back. greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless may never be exposed to such a temptation." could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! acted in my house last night?" "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the papers diligently of late, have you not?" back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: "'Where to?' "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of now. It seems that there had been some informality about their deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; his forehead." The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the name is different." gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An writers could invent nothing more crude." photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant trifles." mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every vague figure huddled up in the darkness. waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another His smile broadened. past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and are, and they are waiting for us." blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any footfalls from the street. fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers page at http://pglaf.org remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was "'A dozen yards or so.' just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down Dr. Gregory B. Newby was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor "You will not go there first?" to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I "I have seen the police." "'Not at all. I only doubt--' bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor The King stared at him in amazement. greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had here and I will read it to you: "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could someone who had been in Australia." advice." "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday to-night's adventure." "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A This is what he says: upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and breakfast and whispered something to her husband. put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until done what I asked you, Jones?" test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will "By all means." greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which "'I have heard so.' forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in writing, and yet I know it well." "Very much so." troubles have been weighing upon his mind. interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of is now desirous of getting those letters back." few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him investigation." every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was vanished into the darkness. merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a following enigmatical notices: which should have the effect of calling the attention of the "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an them?" "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential hour?' painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler "Stolen." "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." "'What are you doing there?' he asked. situation." Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. your bag." "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. "And how did you find out?" say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper "But what is it you wish?" in his power. "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big think that he is innocent?" without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder "Texas, I think." hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the "Now, then, what's the last entry?" my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the o'clock is it?" "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out long narrative. "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. invisible to me," I remarked. "But it has twice been burgled." "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. shoulder. as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the "Pray continue your narrative." reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" we went to search for him, face downward in a little photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may towards the blaze. "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, recall any case within my experience which looked at the first while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning "I think it very unlikely." noble correspondent could be. caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be were unconscious?" depend upon my doing so.' enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of "So I am. Very much so." husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as placed his cuttings. public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last against a man in the prime of life?" "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to were wasted." thin, with a long, sharp nose?" and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me for and were ordered to this address. "No, my brougham is waiting." "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. "He is dead," cried several voices. which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, "But how will you look?" "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into Have you good authority for what you say?" "Was the window open?" "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. "Of what?" than was visible to me." secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away "It is true that I have been generally successful." "'What then?' I asked. out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three "What do you make of that, Watson?" Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the shadow pass over his face as I spoke. copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to them?" the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of so.' the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client