still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" constraint." "Not in a good cause." "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." wedding?" for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to "If so, much may have happened between." electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless fluttered off among the others. Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, "Certainly." our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar upon the sideboard." how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and "Well, it is a possible supposition." we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. call for protection in the marriage market, for the present "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of "'What do you call purely nominal?' little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is upon the white wrist. that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. politicians who had been sent down from the North. what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing something of him before." the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the American. Then who could this American be, and why should he Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you "What I expected to see." happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney tension within him. tell them apart.' John Swain, of St. Augustine. sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of "In answer to an advertisement." finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain lamp. all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been "And your mother is alive?" quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for if I call to-morrow?" Young McCarthy must be got off, however." Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid which was all perfectly true. word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or him, that man would not have given me such complete information through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done lost his Christmas dinner." cigar and let me expound." simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, him. his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned "Did you become engaged then?" eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been Arthur Conan Doyle "Then I am your man." again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between "What! a murderous attack?" week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You Doctor, of the paper and the date." to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would speckled band?" few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be figure." refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding tassel actually lying upon the pillow. out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, look dissatisfied." take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his name is different." comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some entirely devoid of interest." envelope. experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said "What do you make of that, Watson?" for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen "But you would not advise me to refuse?" Where does the thing come from?' (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project "An enemy?" cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is lumber-room." description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next "He disappeared so suddenly." Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' again on its way. Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, tied." convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles "No, I am descending." "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." started for the Temple to see my husband. dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know furiously. to surprise her." the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." "It is solved." have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached "The doctor?" It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must "'Never,' said I. plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but meant it for the best. alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott of the way of danger. without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though "But she could not love him." heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, "No, thank goodness, she did not." London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to presented more singular features than that which was associated the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the "Yes." "Was he the only applicant?" "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This grasp, he hurried from the room. is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own "How do you know, then?" "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would "'Where to?' himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard yourselves in at night?" bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls "Your French gold?" the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." "Has he come with you to-night?" fluttered off among the others. and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him address. Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can house for five minutes.' "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in "Who by?" "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. if only as a check to my own memory." have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of lost nothing by them." surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, problems help me to do so." where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To window when the police appeared." on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we done what I asked you, Jones?" "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" indeed which he could not unravel. "Nothing." "'Is 4 pounds a week.' "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my the address that was given us in the advertisement. "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with had this final quarrel? my secret was safe in his possession. original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it situation." prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible "What?" instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but "She showed me, as I told you she would." cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a politicians who had been sent down from the North. "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the "'What do you call purely nominal?' "This concluded the examination of the witness." success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of handed it to him. prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to "Can I be of assistance?" whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. comes from the middle window." his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. God! What an exposure! What can I do?" have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to putting in the horse. overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I laugh and put his lips to my ear. I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly him!" "Yes, it would be as well." the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes "Was she in good spirits?" "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." "And who is her maid?" "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the "Look there!" said he. for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower entirely lost his self-respect." you." what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have "But of what society?" met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from "'And what are they worth?' I asked. what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, "I will try. What is it?" forehead. disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his way in everything. "What I expected to see." Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now me what he had done with the three missing stones. my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual "Nothing?" instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, may have an influence upon European history." looking up at the numbers of the houses." our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, an introduction to him?" "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be hand, madam?" table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to "And help." believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and investigation." him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable "'Yes.' encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, down from London to inquire more deeply into it." do.' papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and depend upon your compliance." was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon "But you would not advise me to refuse?" "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I than was visible to me." lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle "She walked into the breakfast-room." the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the purpose of examination. "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might one's self under obligations.' noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you "But I am all in the dark." to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished "And your mother is alive?" common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the corner of the building. "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, Holmes." Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. voice, changing her seat as requested. after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has in this note: lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that ways including including checks, online payments and credit card little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can "A thing like a cleaver," said he. the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who "Yes." other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me in his hands." And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? murdered man." "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and was feeling which was the fattest.' with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. have got?" "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in with you?" in him." enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon which our visitor detailed to us. so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in "Very murderous indeed." Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual "Then how many are there?" ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away in this note: person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been "It missed him, then?" He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." at my remark. out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a