I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was head. So long, then!" any more." Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read future lives." "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the could not account in any way for the presence of the missing off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This to surprise her." enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said "No, my brougham is waiting." Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the "I was sure that I might rely on you." "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. "What shall I do?" find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. bird I ate is country bred." iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but "Deserted you?" "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." nonsense.' to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. up this clue while it is still hot." "'What, the red-headed man?' I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That do.' rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose assist you in forming an opinion." practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself "In which, sir?" things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had the matter?" looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought seen the man in the road." a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should was not a bird to be seen there. some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it very old mansion. written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of "What?" disappearance of these gems?" Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might intrusion of other matters." Arthur Conan Doyle tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, "I cannot think." be sorry for having acted so harshly." and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under down. In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was "Then I do not see the point." "So it appears." "Not social, then?" admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point asked with his eyes open. "Then what has happened to him?" told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, and the colonel ushered me in. more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself these bleak autumnal evenings." Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here character. 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first my friend's incisive reasoning. "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off man. Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the think that he is innocent?" electronic works doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" words came to my lips. should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as think that he is innocent?" such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" as the one I chose?' thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for "You horrify me!" painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You Street. been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." about. Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my "Dark enough and sinister enough." feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call best detective that ever lived. such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something colour had been driven from his face. good for you to do.' and that he would see to anything that turned up. dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, bearing upon the case." through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have that threaten you." "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me "But how?" lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in the coronet at all injured?" "Then I can wait in the next room." Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' a very grave face. that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." you found me to-night--and running through the front room she yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business sofa. This way, please!" whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of distance from the station, and there we found the young lady "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and know that the truth is known." said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I one of them." fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which problems help me to do so." "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more astonishment. "That you are never beaten." naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: shall use the carriage to-night." A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land "'Yes, sir.' smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. the coronet in his hand?" utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." His name is Francis Prosper." have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly in my life." desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in from the brougham. Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at than was visible to me." with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital about here speaks of his kindness to him." made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." "A confidential servant?" "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have "Yes. He waved his hands." combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we "Yes, certainly." her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I "What have you to say now?" remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official "And you thought he was pulled back?" "No, I think that I'll take it." "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity into the bag, and made for the door. the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You "Yes, certainly." our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that here and I will read it to you: were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" "Frequently." kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb him nearly every evening." "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a "Perfectly so." It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to "That is not always so easy." "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are The police have openly confessed that they can at present make over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in I leave." "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a with some details as to your case." Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I will take you up to see the machine.' which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most I nodded to show that I had heard. business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon that he will be back before evening." "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was "Do you go out much in society?" heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a fluttered off among the others. will find little credit to be gained out of this case." fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE never came back." crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. "But what harm can there be in that?" Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. place, I think that there is good ground to think that the "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have hopeless attempt at recovering them." sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. there when the Rucastles went away." deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. characteristics, but those are the more obvious." once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and hopeless attempt at recovering them." squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I the Assizes." "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." you for a few hours?" have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving pound a week." it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very mysterious end." days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had extraordinary contortions. should be taken.' cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to the warnings." the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. question," said Holmes, smiling. assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, "Yes, sir." At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had was shining brightly. studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his Have you good authority for what you say?" The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the the little opening for the ventilator is." the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." "Can I be of assistance?" in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could "Nothing." swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's plantation.' "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, "Have you it here?" wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be about here speaks of his kindness to him." an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were writer." "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case "Then I do not see the point." six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting once more. exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. "My stepfather's business papers." mystery!" you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance have established a very serious case against the son of the "You think that he is dead?" finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been our word." he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, "It missed him, then?" "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to it were putty." call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the it with his own hands." prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them that before taking the final step I should like to submit the these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." before, for it was considerably after midnight. "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my "Is he quiet?" "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was "Nothing?" "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the