some water from a caraffe. from you?" tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his "Why did you beat the pavement?" beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the "Witness: I must still refuse. they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And touch that coronet?' "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third "'No, I know no one in these parts.' feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his Surrey." my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle side. him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, Clair, of Lee." that the gas is not laid on in his house?" I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. "So I have heard." to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, the King without delay." the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and "A call for help, you thought?" merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set "I never have." by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no on re-entering her father's house?" over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed case before our client came into the room." my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this DAMAGE. attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way "None. Neville wrote those words." peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may "Imitated." thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the that, and I came down." the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in so far?" spark where all is dark to me." friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to "Oh, yes, easily." hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his his wife has ceased to love him." "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the "'I have heard so.' recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with some water from a caraffe. called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring "No good news?" "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I "I will get her to show me." "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a highroad, where all traces were lost. rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. "Of what?" "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with allusion to a rat. or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon "Well?" greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations "And your mother is alive?" The police have openly confessed that they can at present make "Yes." that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive as yours." assist you in forming an opinion." stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There held up the lantern and gazed about him. against a man in the prime of life?" reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We like that before?" believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, "In which, sir?" "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, salesman. have been better. It is all right." "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, "And why?" "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, to me. Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to "In which, sir?" In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman the iron safe, which he closed upon it. beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just morning." room?" "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith could not have written that. It is the German who is so Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing "I am in hopes that she does." memory. prisoner's face. "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his "And how?" immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, fatally injured? is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate "Do you receive much company?" he asked. waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to compunction about shooting them down." "Where, then, is my wife?" London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The case-book, which he consulted. of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in woman who has had her own way to make in the world. it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the sooner or later she must fall a victim. "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I States. "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of "Who by?" "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not held up the lantern and gazed about him. At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I at my remark. "Just look it up, then." corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love respectable self." "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." spare." going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the "But what harm can there be in that?" into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our one's self under obligations.' be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they "Do you receive much company?" he asked. even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name something of him before." the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, have got?" you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, suggested at once that there must be a communication between the "No good news?" about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining "Yes, sir." questionable one." "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down "'What do you call purely nominal?' and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would "What then?" all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused "It is possible." "Nothing." "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or I was concerned in it." their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, "Did you observe the colour?" disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary "He is still with you, I presume?" as he folded up the epistle. "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes at once, for I have only half an hour." sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep acquaintance?" "What is it, then--a fire?" Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be second." Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should opened the door, and slipped through. attention." interest. They are important, you understand, without being probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a society." more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an photograph a cabinet?" drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to very old mansion. me." forecastle of an emigrant ship. "Did your wife hear all this?" you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite "But you were on a friendly footing?" him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note call it cruel." "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very mystery." run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten could go. receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to here." its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on to-night?' humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the beg that you will break it off." shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him his cane at the bell-pull. back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are following enigmatical notices: "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly to-night?" I asked. scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he "And your father? Did you tell him?" compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously "No, my brougham is waiting." was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police cigar and let me expound." his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" But Holmes shook his head gravely. basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain Street. sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." dates and names. newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am cigars in the box." "Of Friday, June 19th." returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has "Yes." me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions useful material for showing traces. The double line a little blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to the nursery. threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste "BALLARAT." "What! Had he lost his wife?" "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean to take care of herself." down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the ways of our fellow-men." the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock "Certainly." continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. front of me. accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to "Witness: It was. "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were deduce something from that?" then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment very old mansion. had picked up in the wood. Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant