lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called telegram would bring me down to your help." reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" The note was undated, and without either signature or address. habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for "Upon what point?" I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us generous with you in money matters.' ago." lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled all that?" upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of my special province." "In San Francisco, a year ago." but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these someone who had been in Australia." money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London absorbing." written. misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either had no one to advise her at such a crisis." Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the "What can it mean?" I gasped. have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, ourselves in the office." brandy and water within his reach. grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as dramatic, in fact." One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner that, and I came down." "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons "Yes." cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had held up the lantern and gazed about him. "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to green of the new foliage. corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual "A confidential servant?" fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" hour?' "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if "We must sit without light. He would see it through the "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we beyond words. small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person the bed, and you in that chair." the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his the so-precious time, but come!' sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business his grey eyes. "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest once more. must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings "In the cells." Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he golden eyeglasses. we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." tail." search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the was a loud and authoritative tap. "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." tension within him. erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope *** START: FULL LICENSE *** could gather together that I was able to avert another public undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility that threaten you." "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" "Yes." casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was "Perhaps we may make them less so." Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger "Pray do so." chance at all." was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last "Can I be of assistance?" that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no shall use the carriage to-night." deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the "I think it very unlikely." "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her deduce something from that?" rat could hardly pass through." he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only taking in every detail of the apartment. is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she could not account in any way for the presence of the missing "In San Francisco, a year ago." She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, prisoner's face. have I gained?" usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting room. strong and stiff." unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I "Ah!" unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of murdered man." back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he "And how did he make his money?" the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." meant." eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy "'Certainly not.' strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled "To an end?" something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from indeed happy." did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the hour." "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If I shall communicate with you." serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying Pope's Court, Fleet Street." Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you floor. whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As would apply.' preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events that he has suffered." "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was "Certainly, madam." and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go where she found matters as described by the last witness. twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young "You heard nothing yourself last night?" two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a "Never." surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish "The Coroner: What do you mean? "Witness: It was. "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend go back?" so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his tail." common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is rat could hardly pass through." I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay "Well, some hundreds of times." "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He "To the police?" the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler "'And the work?' assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if "I do." down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the Edgeware Road. Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent "'And what are they worth?' I asked. Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so "'Never.' "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is "So I am. Very much so." are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be hand, madam?" to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope waste of energy." could gather together that I was able to avert another public rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. "You are all wrong." "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand been able to understand it, in a very few words. making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the "And help." as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and feature." "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other quite distinctive." at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my "No sign of it?" have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the "It is true that I have been generally successful." "What have you done?" asked Holmes. house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those train from Paddington which would bring you there at about Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock "Why serious?" making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right of note-paper. It read in this fashion: "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made "But you were on a friendly footing?" just called myself is not exactly my own." matters immensely." lamp. which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project what these perils are?" "But to whom?" "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden guilty one." "Here?" see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' enter into my head. have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker to have that photograph." have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not very morning of my second wedding." corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive gone. agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your prisoner's face. "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do there in twenty minutes." 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which imbecility!" he cried. combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread "'And the work?' turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep "That's no good." poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I "But what will you do?" there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three "How do you know, then?" "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he helping a boy to put up the shutters. word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done right! Sit down and let us talk it over." that before taking the final step I should like to submit the The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with purpose of examination. words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I "I should be immensely obliged to you." which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just went to the Alpha were town bred." he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be shall use the carriage to-night." of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just "'What would be the hours?' I asked. complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but matter." his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, I nodded again. is acting for the best. purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who time." "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of The King stared at him in amazement. "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some Lestrade of Scotland Yard." "Not I." doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" enough to aid us in our search." "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a is entirely a question of barometric pressure." rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of McCarthy." my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which "To ruin me." once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you It may be so in this case, also." bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution written. behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their "Where did he live, then?" hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His "Come in!" said he. that you wished to speak to me?' circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a "I am all attention, madam." "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the "This concluded the examination of the witness." came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until this man was intellectual?" "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my