attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed "So I am. Very much so." she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has a monotonous occupation." it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall he bowed and left the room without another word. There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." Cross for the Continent." protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, opportunities to fix the problem. wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a did not hear it also.' as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining "I should be immensely obliged to you." case before our client came into the room." quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as examination of the premises, but without finding anything which inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press "Yes, he did." sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with now. It seems that there had been some informality about their business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You "How did you trace it, then?" method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it has little to do with my story." pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** "You have but to name it." behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of upon the shelf for the interim." "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting window when the police appeared." "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" matter." Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any "Here?" "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his back alive. whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by "I assure you that I am in your hands." cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for "The Cedars?" understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this go from here to the Strand." "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, floor. with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, good for you to do.' fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my to where he stood hid behind the curtain. might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several next day. shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like This is what he says: "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble "Why, it's a dummy," said he. with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing Lestrade of Scotland Yard." have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a enough to aid us in our search." all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag "What have you done?" asked Holmes. Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, "A greater distance to travel." rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a on re-entering her father's house?" glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face fattened it expressly for you.' is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his this man was intellectual?" affair. effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." Stoke Moran." "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no said he. Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger this remarkable episode. passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was "What can it mean?" I gasped. "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall have accepted such a situation. clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my cigars in the box." of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been "'What would be the hours?' I asked. Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "I never have." "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes "I assure you that I am in your hands." the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me "'Not at all. I only doubt--' while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the brandy and water within his reach. leaning back in his chair. "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, was used.' leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal man. "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The into her hand at the door and which lured her within their to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business I approached. happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and spare." "It came here." the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely desk. "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable with her." if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in showing my impatience. yourselves in at night?" dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from tell them apart.' woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she "And I to find an enemy." occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We "You heard nothing yourself last night?" finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic "I guessed as much." "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an subject to the trademark license, especially commercial soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. with frightened eyes at his accuser. however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and "I am to be neutral?" presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was "Did you observe the colour?" "My opinion is in no way altered." "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under "He is still with you, I presume?" necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless country, and eventually married, without anyone having a ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. society." in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from "Then you may entirely rely on me." specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, Lestrade of Scotland Yard." walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the once more to my work. "I say it is." the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has Foundation you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And this as likely?" thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of enter into my head. "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with "I will get her to show me." the coronet in his hands?" or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send hard-headed British jury." "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house putting in the horse. nights." that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and that you wished to speak to me?' It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in "They are typewritten," I remarked. A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove mystery!" I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this together. prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this ceremony." was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and "'Yes, I promise.' paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. *** START: FULL LICENSE *** "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' and have this put in the evening papers." wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. relation between them, and what the object of his repeated "How many? I don't know." afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not his wife has ceased to love him." cup of tea. save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. begun to whiten, even as mine has." though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of "But you can know nothing of this?" jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." his huge brown hands. fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of you." daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible "Precisely." "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is a few minutes he said that it would be all right. points in connection with it which never have been, and probably my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, the Assizes." "That is it on the dressing-table." and capable of preserving a secret.' myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to where Mr. Fordham shows you.' "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what "To an English lawyer named Norton." the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep new duties?' "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between she used." peculiar to him. box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography "I would give my fortune to have them back." which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It papers." Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." him. "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just and shall probably return to London by the evening train." "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began his eyes and forehead. "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down you." "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my "What of the rat, then?" after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. McCarthy's innocence. The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from "'And the work?' acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her thin legs towards the fire. the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons intrusion of other matters." "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and Watson," he said cordially. has little to do with my story." that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we fatally injured? handed it to him. across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. noble correspondent could be. straightened it out again. should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was "To ruin me." watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate as yours." impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small and effective." "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to