"Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a had picked up in the wood. used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm went to the Alpha were town bred." "Yes. He waved his hands." manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He "'Yes, it was gone.' "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet disappearance of these gems?" the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt of the vacancies.' I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main carried out of court." "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the 'I should be able to look after that for you.' the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave call the police, let the police find what they can.' a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs page at http://pglaf.org why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons "Nothing?" unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the discontent upon his features. would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with conduct the inquiry." chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a the little opening for the ventilator is." became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the papers diligently of late, have you not?" about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for get her out of the way." and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you conceal it?" Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite tell them apart.' everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the "Yes, there are nearly always some there." wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was better grown goose." "It looks newer than the other things?" lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. beyond words. no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it "No?" "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east way in." "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who John Swain, of St. Augustine. "Two days later this same performance was gone through under foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should to tell." she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, "Was she in good spirits?" common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you ourselves in the office." 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice head. So long, then!" to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." "Ten will be early enough." some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. hereditary King of Bohemia." "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I visitors." present." be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the answer." arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting "Yes, but only for you and me." "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still copied or distributed: feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some hereditary King of Bohemia." think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love charge against him will break down." the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich that?' the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a to Leatherhead. had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." Clair, of Lee." a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have highly," said Holmes. exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were "And what then?" street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. James Windibank. Voilà tout!" "That is also quite modern," said the lady. so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on you came in." Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic the inner apartment." "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" thirty. acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should "And the murderer?" his eyes and forehead. Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. fasten all the windows?" "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. "Did he not advertise?" theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should do.' impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I served to weaken the effect. "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. occupations.' depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily late!' that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was Again Holmes raved in the air. with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be "At the wedding breakfast." who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations kind enough to tell me what I should do." to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little instincts rose up against that laugh. gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he know all about it," he snarled. before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall "But what harm can there be in that?" not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the we went to search for him, face downward in a little expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" "What do you mean?" or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is yards of it?' connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was hand, madam?" leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the Chief Executive and Director through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and the general public were present, then?" "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it "Yes." dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the the nursery. saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that said he. "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money lost his Christmas dinner." the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in have been better. It is all right." I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my "Yes." the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside prove to be little relation between the different incidents of some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to events, Mr. Windibank!" as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that What do you deduce from it?" test if we have an answer to our advertisement." "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he corner of the building. Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, "What of the rat, then?" strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will "BALLARAT." was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business never will be, entirely cleared up. returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and the inner apartment." really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and "10th. John Swain cleared. "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. all that?" and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and you." There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport go--none." and files of the old papers, following the future career of every value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker guilty parties." prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without been deceived." very peculiar words of the dying woman?" chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did "'What then?' I asked. Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his "How do you know, then?" Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will perplexity from it to my illustrious client. "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such his knees, staring into the fire. contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. me." goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we "It is to him that this trophy belongs." important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, weary and pale-looking. "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. "My dear Holmes!" along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into yourselves in at night?" "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" take the flies, but not before." that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long paper in the air. sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' "My dear Holmes!" "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made "Ha! you find it so?" "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the the best of training." "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up Serpentine Avenue. It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for "And how did you verify them?" girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four that, and I came down." McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then introspective fashion. "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab Have you good authority for what you say?" my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the presented which may be striking and bizarre without being for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, in the hope of finding them." iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding woven round him. The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were empty. master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat "He slept on the premises." and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left "I fear not." nonsense.' his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried