sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have said I. be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock "How long did she speak to this Alice?" full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and I leave." quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose second window is the one that I jumped from." in a friendly supper." down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every "By all means." "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was "Then you may be so with me." from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise little trying to do so much typewriting?" reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. your troubles." a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but and have this put in the evening papers." recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and maiden herself was most instructive." It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. "'I am sure if I had known--' shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised "Why serious?" toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed four million human beings all jostling each other within the several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air it means?" "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window the one as in the other." "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from photograph?" truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's "Witness: I must still refuse. generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend knowledge of the world." instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that long narrative. property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in have an American origin." 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round character. anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, "No bad?" Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a off." entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy which should have the effect of calling the attention of the I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a drove away. concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of "'Never.' very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said was already answered. gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard "And for present expenses?" disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly delirious. very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down very peculiar words of the dying woman?" "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." "'A dozen yards or so.' waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred in a friendly supper." Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a brain must have something in it." 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, "Where, then?" "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through It was close upon four before the door opened, and a houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, "Yes, sir." married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his be best to do. read over the extraordinary announcement. for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from "My dear Holmes!" again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his works. hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. any more." there were so many in the whole country as were brought together unprofitable." upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." in the port of London." "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you "Yes, it would be as well." stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., "Yes." condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to "So I have heard." has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the which should have the effect of calling the attention of the tear off another piece?' "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her "Yes, there are nearly always some there." open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for was feeling which was the fattest.' and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all and files of the old papers, following the future career of every "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic never will be, entirely cleared up. his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their http://www.gutenberg.net and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This thought that she would have been so carried away." old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your "Do you go out much in society?" d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his he bowed and left the room without another word. and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We confronted him. to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his arms and began to sob in a high treble key. but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me or in danger--" me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on questionable one." what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray really the only notable feature about the thing." "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and might have a private word with us. a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have could go. them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such means taking possession of that which another person has a prior that there was nothing in it, after all." written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the confronted him. 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, married her." doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and "And that is--" my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our and that he would see to anything that turned up. showing my impatience. or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over him to go away.' to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from ordinary clothes on?" got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey now. It seems that there had been some informality about their "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his experiences." that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack anything to do with the matter?" essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding "What shall I do?" the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down eavesdroppers?' after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I had this final quarrel? Mrs. Toller serenely. I am not easy in my mind about them." pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His empty. future lives." something of him before." the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the even so self-evident a thing as that." "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction cheerful." days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of appeared upon the scene." the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were was the fact that his father should, according to his account, which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. and files of the old papers, following the future career of every fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend "No, I think that I'll take it." question. four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the what is your own theory as to what took place?" "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child digesting their breakfasts at home." recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his photograph?" certainly not very gracious." alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, danger is over." telegram would bring me down to your help." "But you can know nothing of this?" "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It what I may call a really hard day's work." "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A "The decline of his fortunes, then?" touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in "But to whom?" when your master had gone out." that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too conversation I have gathered that they have been married about determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my "It goes to the housekeeper's room." typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back Dr. Gregory B. Newby of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at "Well, some hundreds of times." "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay The King stared at him in amazement. was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I upon the sideboard." arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to fashion which was peculiar to him. "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a not personally threatened." however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you "Have you her photograph?" "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I better in every way that they should make their position a little list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how "Yes." "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than never came back." gone. travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching Have you good authority for what you say?" secret." "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly clang of the bell. put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence Again Holmes raved in the air. look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in so.' wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that galvanised. "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, "Precisely." there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet considering the formidable letters which were received by himself the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing once more to my work. three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay done what I asked you, Jones?" "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I "Here?" was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and "Yes, from Horsham." "I never have." "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases hereditary King of Bohemia." and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of key turn in the lock." "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. cup of tea. plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer looking up at the numbers of the houses." hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on anything to a woman, for she would have her way." definite end. too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness off." "'Most admirably.' that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. drawing your inferences." mysterious business." "Well, but China?" "You are all wrong." ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun "Of what?" Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered should be so warm over such a trifle." seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A