whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to any." thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." careless servant girl?" "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must "Ten will be early enough." "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some "'I have already given you my word.' single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady weary and pale-looking. I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of 11:15.' expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the friend's singular character. second window is the one that I jumped from." than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular floor. "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' believe that I should never have any practice at all. could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." forbidden door. practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and events than those which have happened in my own family." before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their "Of what?" "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." believe that I should never have any practice at all. "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now "It is no ordinary one." you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his results." "What will you say?" was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the "I should wish to." whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what your troubles." matters immensely." could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I "She showed me, as I told you she would." "I would pay ten." down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. towards the blaze. darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot present." "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all His name is Francis Prosper." It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch II. "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this the coronet in his hand?" why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from along the entire front of the house, with three long windows enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to call the police, let the police find what they can.' serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the "It is a murder, then?" feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon round and wave him away like that.' Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't she has been waylaid. There has been no result." might have a private word with us. Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the my former friend and companion. saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his "But I am all in the dark." occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so woven round him. Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled brought there to personate someone, and the real person is to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." "And why?" disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have strength in the others." only touch the interest." possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the "Your French gold?" surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and way: overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before events, Mr. Windibank!" is," said he presently: "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make prove to be little relation between the different incidents of "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me not, dad?" she asked. the coronet in his hands?" something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land "Will you bet, then?" this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case yards of it?' defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you miles off. with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though "But I am all in the dark." was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just the coronet at all injured?" to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first door?" is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say did not hear it also.' useful material for showing traces. The double line a little has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I said he. papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near woven round him. crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An little trying to do so much typewriting?" did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love "What will you do, then?" front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden his face which made him a very different person to the round, must compliment you." round and wave him away like that.' I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." place of silver." presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. least a most suspicious remark." "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" looking up at the numbers of the houses." is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter three of the beryls in it, was missing. yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found pierced for earrings?" "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always delighted to hear it," he said. like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, DAMAGE. is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the "You horrify me." submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by astonishment. incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where in one or two places in England?' was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the what do you think they found in the pockets?" came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room "I cannot imagine." that he will be back before evening." "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of to his chemical studies. been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." touch that coronet?' it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and "Nor running a chance of arrest?" understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with chambers. treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? "'Never.' a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a during the last few years, and there are many noble families to appeal." threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." the room while you explain this matter?" manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, me upon any point which I do not make clear." month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." events, Mr. Windibank!" grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position "To the police?" the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered do.' "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive "Thank you. And your address?" Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, "Entirely." tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon to tell." without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned "My private note-paper." back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open speckled band?" stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as that official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." "It is solved." walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar 11:15.' dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and it. married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder I have it here in my museum." "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been fled together." happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, "My dear Holmes!" had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving showing my impatience. "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little behind me. "In the cells." Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be trying to your nerves." paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I "Never." "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, his face which made him a very different person to the round, later, upon the night of May 2nd." as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a pity, because in other respects you would really have done very been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. clanging. armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a purpose of examination. member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and I think that I could be of assistance to you." If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project sneer upon his pale face. are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I into her hand at the door and which lured her within their other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. advice." and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." charge against him will break down." not use it unless it is absolutely needed." "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. "What steps will you take?" I asked. "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, meant it for the best. deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" "That is not always so easy." is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded "And for present expenses?" "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable drawing your inferences." "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right any." deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have never came back." least a most suspicious remark." "Yes." reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a digesting their breakfasts at home." temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy "But his left-handedness." time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the before, for it was considerably after midnight. however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, arrested. You then--" owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." strength in the others." you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely straighten it?" know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to "I have seen the police." "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." man. housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City for its centre. "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. that I can to serve you." words came to my lips. "Now, then, what's the last entry?" was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran points in connection with it which never have been, and probably mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying me." and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but "Yesterday." "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and