offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this nothing with him." She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, some city in a dream. unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought seem to you to be relevant or not." "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his straighten it?" "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy "I think that I had better go, Holmes." met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and think that he is innocent?" heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal "Have you it here?" "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but quite distinctive." had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner legal crime." For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and writers could invent nothing more crude." "At what time?" who was a member of your goose club." "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the "Come in!" said he. of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all miles off. reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were must be when I saw the door open.' assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we "But we can't all be." cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! "I came to find a friend." question. or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm retorted upon me, and I on you." of Mr. Rucastle's." quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary the coronet in his hand?" has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has handed it to him. "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is considering the formidable letters which were received by himself its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical for and were ordered to this address. snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, "A thing like a cleaver," said he. "Come in!" said Holmes. and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing "Pray let us have it, for all that." the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. and I shall be with you presently." emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were more terrible than the truth. present." We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every mystery!" "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after of a light. again, where I was soon asleep. The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his have accepted such a situation. sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the "I answered that I had not. cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he "I am all attention, madam." them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced and shall probably return to London by the evening train." TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she appointment with me for six o'clock?" really the only notable feature about the thing." down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' that you wished to speak to me?' more terrible than the truth. "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through "'Most admirably.' It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I side. "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly was a lad." left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable some mystery and the punishment of some crime." not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a emerged. his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock Sutherland. whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB attention." agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What remarked. "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the eat it." resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. "And from a noble client?" "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day with you?" and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some "None." from the brougham. first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, "None. Neville wrote those words." knowledge of the world." week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was him to be an active member of the medical profession." absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating observed. lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found "Nothing." surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, man. spark where all is dark to me." himself in a perplexing position. possible that we could bring him back to her? gone. fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, was the fact that his father should, according to his account, "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had how narrow had been my escape. he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know "But what will you do?" other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest said he. logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to "Which surely he restored to their owner?" "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning gone. which was all perfectly true. here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but have one." must compliment you." "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek "Not yet." "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my "Why, what do you mean?" base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was light and attacked it." across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and said I. boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an secret." dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have "But you were on a friendly footing?" would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so and have this put in the evening papers." thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the and the colonel ushered me in. "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned cigars in their mouths. "What of the rat, then?" civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport sooner or later she must fall a victim. the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the was shining brightly. third from London." business matters.' think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was "I should like to see him very much." laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door "It is solved." where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." "None." in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less "On your arm?" "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was "I am following you closely," I answered. its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I wedding?" to talk it over. moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next electronic works round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her views." until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action my friend's incisive reasoning. rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying things are very often connected not with the larger but with the hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little that I can to serve you." this poor creature." what do you think they found in the pockets?" he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker "Ha! you find it so?" which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He felt?" everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which searched, without anything being found which could incriminate "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she was used.' "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have he. "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, which we had just quitted. photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in "Where to?" "'It is locked up,' I answered. one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" passage and a tap at the door. to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense Holmes' room. this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the "And it is--" "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There made his money." standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side triumphant cloud from his cigarette. "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he experiences." "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the everything which you would wish to know." "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be "You think so, too?" It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the which we had just quitted. "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. "And now?" I asked. Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my yet." her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, anything to do with the matter?" "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles "Where is it, then?" "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A purpose equally well?" he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more done what I asked you, Jones?" "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. "The murder was done with it." "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at the night.' Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a case before our client came into the room." away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire your Highness to the police-station?" and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with suggested at once that there must be a communication between the drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so anything to a woman, for she would have her way." floor. "'Yes, it was gone.' would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop night.' said he. reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to she has been waylaid. There has been no result." But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If stood on the top of it. discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would there were so many in the whole country as were brought together coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, "It is a murder, then?" "No sign of it?" "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just business at Coburg Square is serious." she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, it." however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?"