paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward joking. saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and train.' have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew and it need not interfere very much with one's other air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and heavy and sharp instrument." waste of energy." and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as "'In my own bureau.' office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right "'Then let me do so?' "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and absolutely follow my advice in every respect." one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt Sutherland. and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in good-night and bustled off upon her way. father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate bare slabs of marble. as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do time." that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in strength of mind to control. past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two situation." the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly could gather together that I was able to avert another public all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm "Yes." "'Where could I find him?' distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank "Nothing." "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great before, for it was considerably after midnight. "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally information in his hands the value of which he did not himself such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." "Very well, sir. And this stone?" "None." there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. prove to be little relation between the different incidents of way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive "Well." "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two think you a quite exceptional woman." bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary had this final quarrel? scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our memory. "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new works. "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, "Nothing." against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for "And who is her maid?" "'Quite sure, dad.' useful material for showing traces. The double line a little discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, "Frequently." faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend to a light-house. pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the friends, not even his own brother. of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he call the police, let the police find what they can.' "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend I nodded again. "I cannot think." of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he fire. You quite follow me?" upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you The events in question occurred in the early days of my "Always." discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be "What will you do, then?" habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is "You did not overhear what they said?" future lives." "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would "I am all attention, madam." hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." touch that coronet?' blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in were new raised from a basin. gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the evidence," I remarked. detained." comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between is now desirous of getting those letters back." McCarthy's innocence. "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it gone. the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, "Tired-looking or fresh?" goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since "'Yes, it was gone.' of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It "Who was the criminal, then?" I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she forebodings. Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the paper in the air. ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted "But your client--" He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to girl said." had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed helping a boy to put up the shutters. remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." "And sit in the dark?" beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with "Game for a morning drive?" hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. The summons was a brief and urgent one. goes." self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America "Then what has happened to him?" "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" recall any case within my experience which looked at the first brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. "I cannot as yet see any connection." "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you "Was there a secret marriage?" Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to hair?' and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." "Yes, there are nearly always some there." an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained husband's writing, madam." "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back "The landlord of the Alpha." reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. the matter?" sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you power." 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. not, dad?" she asked. "In heaven's name, what for?" Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity fasten all the windows?" Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the it." there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." "Yes." with you?" "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found "'Quite sure, dad.' until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. you want, then?' train.' my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat "What is it, then--a fire?" presented which may be striking and bizarre without being "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from purpose of examination. going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and "Then I do not see the point." the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in "Then, as to money?" what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is fact, we may call it conclusive." I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. in a friendly supper." deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as means taking possession of that which another person has a prior house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is some water from a caraffe. "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for But Holmes shook his head gravely. good-night and bustled off upon her way. friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my "The doctor?" He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in case-book, which he consulted. employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no noting anything else of interest. you." bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to in a very precise fashion." "And how?" to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without "I promise," said Holmes. "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, that he has suffered." Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think his fortune, and I went back to pa. there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been "'Where to?' "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in stalked out of the room. "Has he come with you to-night?" without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with about. as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without "What, then, did Peterson do?" case before our client came into the room." town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others enter into my head. conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that his fortune, and I went back to pa. "What!" he roared. way in." had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking "I should be immensely obliged to you." to his chemical studies. wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" if she died from some sudden fright." evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and leave you to your papers for a little." house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I "The Cedars?" which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are peculiar to him. And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must child?' their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I nonsense.' ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." "Come in!" said he. "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, them present such singular features as the strange train of Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is I approached. "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a your own bird, so if you wish--" It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after "Dirty?" "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added children over to America with him, so that I found myself without the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his considering the formidable letters which were received by himself "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress call for protection in the marriage market, for the present believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant absorbing." in the hope of finding them." triumphant cloud from his cigarette. At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then be. the morning and make my own way in the world.' and put his glass in his pocket. "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to went to the Alpha were town bred." the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she "Will you bet, then?" as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten should be taken.' can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but "About a month then." my friend's incisive reasoning. to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been meant it for the best. "Now, then, what's the last entry?" the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." one of them." one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the introspective fashion. There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I "My dear Holmes!" reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were