so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass http://gutenberg.net/license). surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to hardly wander." forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder someone who had been in Australia." "You forget that I know nothing about it." black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. it were putty." "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should entirely lost his self-respect." "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both certainly do as you advise." seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the upon an income of about 60 pounds." get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler "My stepfather's business papers." "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is the room while you explain this matter?" "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a "Entirely." her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" I shall communicate with you." lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. "I am still in the dark." "You think that he is dead?" vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a the salesman. "My photograph." "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his "No, I had a dozen." had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" I was concerned in it." "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, would then never go into court at all." crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he "Witness: It was. What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." point in the dark hollow of his hand. impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under awkward doing business with an alias." "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? seven miles from Eyford Station.' a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same "You have a clue?" applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for outsides of the windows. hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two right! Sit down and let us talk it over." mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no "But it has twice been burgled." "What, then?" "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to must be when I saw the door open.' "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of "No. His orders were to stay in the house." hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually to you." without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered I was concerned in it." rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found on in his house." And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." "No, thank goodness, she did not." On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting his huge brown hands. hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst "Of what?" 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the during the last few years, and there are many noble families to lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? "'Stolen!' he cried. "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come whether it answered to the description of any of their "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her what I may call a really hard day's work." lumber-room." This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, down. impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they and looked back. are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg man. spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, notes," he said. to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where detective. was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." "'What, the red-headed man?' come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid it." "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by photograph?" "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course success. stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds "Not particularly." freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of it were putty." just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate himself. have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped "Well, it is a possible supposition." obstinate." absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before "Always." experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort "Was your sister dressed?" would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, minor matters until to-morrow." precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have "What do you make of that, Watson?" dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it hereditary King of Bohemia." the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That if she died from some sudden fright." as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young Dr. Gregory B. Newby Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and "Was there a secret marriage?" then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of 1.F. may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical "I fear not." "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I My friend smiled. be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so relief. Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't waste of energy." and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands emerged. "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the highly," said Holmes. hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to to-night." that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, "'Yes, sir.' is," said he presently: "So I heard. You have him here?" one of the states of the Union." bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' the south-west, I see." work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion cigars in their mouths. step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. lost nothing by them." "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my again, where I was soon asleep. unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." "That is possible." long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm "Yes, there are nearly always some there." into the room. "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to keep the flames under. "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the "How on earth--" opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then "About a month then." quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable persecution?" "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the Watson," he said cordially. "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the sake, don't!" thin, with a long, sharp nose?" this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such hour?' "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, "I shall be delighted." these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me highroad, where all traces were lost. but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet key of the affair now." number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that that he has suffered." act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you over part of the map. "What do you read?" flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a crime." my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no "Did you become engaged then?" "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my my room." once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be "How on earth--" seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he as noiselessly as she had come. to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door thin legs towards the fire. disturbance in my wife." month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with Chief Executive and Director room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for the armchair which I pushed forward for him. admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was Where does the thing come from?' the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' dates and names. week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger to surprise her." "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that leave you to your papers for a little." was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every key of the affair now." "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no lost nothing by them." "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch late." "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. "Yes." cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call gentleman's clothes. seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the "You saw the ventilator, too?" "Yes, sir." morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the "But how will you look?" dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its business?" "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time "I think that I had better go, Holmes." to have been novel and of interest." the window, rose as we entered. "Thank you. And your address?" august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to in one or two places in England?' old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, crime." wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." said Mr. Holder. all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon it were putty." But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with you, my dear young lady?' its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He Eyford." hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke