possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else points in connection with it which never have been, and probably business?" lamp. the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from charge against him will break down." better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the your equipment. "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any several quiet little villages up there." he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the answered with a sidelong glance. the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers paper in the air. "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. "The Cedars?" crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock him. folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you "But she could not love him." chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as "What office?" "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to "Ah, but I was recommended to you." calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, his cane at the bell-pull. at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure "Come in!" said he. "And the murderer?" pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble was feeling which was the fattest.' and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur questionable one." fasten all the windows?" have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack "Absolutely none." pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at the one as in the other." that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small and it need not interfere very much with one's other fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." Clair, of Lee." heavily into it. although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to which should have the effect of calling the attention of the we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen believe that I should never have any practice at all. fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the to surprise her." has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon miles off. gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction depend upon your compliance." tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak dead, shall be safe with us." "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." "A client, then?" have I gained?" "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is lips." maid will bring up your coffee." he. very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend society." 1.E.9. "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted mystery." and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and back into the street. observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a "I will not look." was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest made him keep the appointment." "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you "The gentleman I describe." go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. meanly of me." in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four laugh and put his lips to my ear. place no limit on the sum I may draw." Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" "Stolen." firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering from the brougham. analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to very morning of my second wedding." "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, My friend smiled. telegram would bring me down to your help." wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in that you wished to speak to me?' heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the It may be so in this case, also." disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. felt the room to be a little close.' clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There "Why, what do you mean?" judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was the little opening for the ventilator is." much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in *** START: FULL LICENSE *** however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, article?" goes." "By all means." "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding confronted him. huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but in a very precise fashion." Count Von Kramm." bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this cheerful." were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the extraordinary contortions. followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from business?" o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a "She walked into the breakfast-room." "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened "Stoke Moran?" said he. "Yes." behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent presented more singular features than that which was associated "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. always that they were such commands as a lady might with four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, "She showed me, as I told you she would." sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His straightened it out again. "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that himself to tell his story. coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the "I cannot imagine." "You are certainly joking, Holmes." Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. "Yes." accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw carried out of court." "Certainly." fait accompli?" clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were envelope. of Mr. Rucastle's." drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to the coronet at all injured?" expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to "Quite so." Lestrade of Scotland Yard." "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all less than 26s. 4d. running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead my former friend and companion. happened." forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" the bottom.' believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third if only as a check to my own memory." have I gained?" reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, washing it down with a long draught of water. them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, over his head with a sweet womanly caress. hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. whole matter to your consideration." and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of this man was intellectual?" cigars in their mouths. I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece imbecility!" he cried. "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." "Yes, sir." similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp "And what did you see?" I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said "We must sit without light. He would see it through the "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the "Yes." "On Monday." difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was your co-operation." Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, to his chemical studies. "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we get her out of the way." "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in "What is it?" shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, as the one I chose?' the tragedy. flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even "That also I could fathom." "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" weapon." of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a feature." young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I "Perhaps I have." wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the the driver. I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather not interfere, come what may. You understand?" was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I washing it down with a long draught of water. British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the "Well, it is a possible supposition." "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! "Dr. Becher's." said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture "And Irene Adler?" mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have Holmes. hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against to where he stood hid behind the curtain. Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, to miss it." quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or your bag." One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that delighted to hear it," he said. Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and returned to France?" which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the "I think that I had better go, Holmes." a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at "That you are never beaten." the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone guilty one." and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an forebodings. my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing "Ten will be early enough." coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the "I promise," said Holmes. of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of "Why did you pick him?" "'I am sure that I do not know.' paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced made his money." and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. "And how did you verify them?" son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter and have this put in the evening papers." "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, down in his armchair and closing his eyes. "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It "Not particularly." "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove "'Quite sure, dad.' came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." gone. the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got neither fascinating nor artistic." with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little the stones. an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and security.' "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have as he remarks, very much against the son." very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped round with crates and massive boxes. "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be