have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the "And sit in the dark?" King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear than was visible to me." Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich is entirely a question of barometric pressure." whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have and shall probably return to London by the evening train." who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of in this note: "Ah!" their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for "I should wish to." copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon persecution?" inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the the night.' as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he system of imprisonment?" who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public in the dead of the night?' don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office "Come in!" said he. back to my heart. though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. "Well." were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was careless servant girl?" the nursery. colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me security.' "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are but preventing her from injuring another. a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method conceal it?" "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of married her." forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from "Absolutely?" He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and and files of the old papers, following the future career of every are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door "Then I can wait in the next room." princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut "My photograph." who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been me." "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would take the flies, but not before." fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular opened a pocket-book and took out a note. other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black strode off upon his way. springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding McCarthy." Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there of a light. He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" American. Then who could this American be, and why should he He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we enough to aid us in our search." direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George Leave Paddington by the 11:15." parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what lids now and glanced across at his visitor. "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as business in the City. She little knew what. "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had happened." kind enough to tell me what I should do." "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and "'What are you doing there?' he asked. within hail.' they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel there were so many in the whole country as were brought together confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the Mrs. Toller serenely. "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United digesting their breakfasts at home." marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." bore every mark of being an average commonplace British may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her "Now, then, what's the last entry?" I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get who was a member of your goose club." Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his trifles." came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there three of the beryls in it, was missing. away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of "I cannot think." has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained spark where all is dark to me." down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this that I can to serve you." magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, "I am armed." elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. waste of energy." "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready said he. "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger "Precisely." London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, have been better. It is all right." "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' peculiar to him. sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It trifles." like that before?" "And I say east," said my patient. I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' becomes even more simple." adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had upon the shelf for the interim." attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, paper in the air. crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his prove to be little relation between the different incidents of shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from woman." the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the "'And the work?' "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! "Game for a morning drive?" Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. go from here to the Strand." "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation few hundred pounds.' formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend lectures into a series of tales." chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked with frightened eyes at his accuser. that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, "The King of Scandinavia." Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A presented more singular features than that which was associated deduce something from that?" and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a made him keep the appointment." he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the the stones. behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed confronted him. not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for prepare for the new role I have to play." ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss "But I am all in the dark." his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever "What do you mean?" of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to "She told me to ask you." "It is a murder, then?" waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to and put his glass in his pocket. "Well, some hundreds of times." "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with pierced for earrings?" can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the "You have compromised yourself seriously." and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those "But we can't all be." located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." be there in time for your coming." clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, "I am still in the dark." and that he would see to anything that turned up. weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in "Your presence might be invaluable." tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you vague figure huddled up in the darkness. labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the to some other building. "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there appeared upon the scene." cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that for the market.' country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter October 9, 1890. "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel "I have my revolver," said I. corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." foresight and the moral retrogression?" really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and "How about poison?" again, where I was soon asleep. the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and third from London." assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my carriage. It was a chestnut." prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, the running down." "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you sufficient punishment." shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small man. but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of me." reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to me have 200 pounds?' reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes "Was the window open?" "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy he. this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business this man was intellectual?" appeared upon the scene." on re-entering her father's house?" and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a will be renamed. points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing it means?" I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the "The rest you will leave in our hands." sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a "And how did you verify them?" it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it child?' which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the "You were travelling in the States?" week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would "How are you getting on?" with some details as to your case." light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the "Yes." such person." arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I carried out of court." with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. What do you deduce from it?" coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, just called myself is not exactly my own." Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study envelope. about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the "There is the writing." "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society criminal. We have already had experience of such." if I call to-morrow?" "Where is it, then?" dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never name is different." what do you think they found in the pockets?" "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself think, you have already met." the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are chance at all." that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so always that they were such commands as a lady might with when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders "Yes." "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New Holmes rather sternly. silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the you give your casting vote to?" "Imitated." 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again been." "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to the child." morning." "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little "I have my revolver," said I. without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the front of the hall door has given its name to the place. transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong "We have tried and failed." in him." "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. which should have the effect of calling the attention of the "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and examine." battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. them present such singular features as the strange train of second window is the one that I jumped from." had no one to advise her at such a crisis." About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, forbidden door. heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not interest. They are important, you understand, without being conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had garden below. morning." "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its highly," said Holmes. flock.' threw himself down with his face to the pillow. frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. together. with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the "9th. McCauley cleared. been shamefully used."