seem to you to be relevant or not." dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. enter Dr. Roylott's room." "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, photograph a cabinet?" age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that information in his hands the value of which he did not himself white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work noise which awoke you from your sleep?" my little problems." upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress "But he might be a bachelor." Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" "What?" we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" "But what harm can there be in that?" few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors of." and no precautions can guard against." "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." behind me. I think that I could be of assistance to you." dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly "Yes, it was twisted." of fine shops and stately business premises that they really "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney "I am armed." "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." "But of what society?" the window, rose as we entered. bill, which interests me deeply." "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the "Dark enough and sinister enough." maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, "The best possible." He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could "You horrify me!" perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel situation." foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the note?" "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door 1.F. "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we was the fact that his father should, according to his account, paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if such person." "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought "You forget that I know nothing about it." "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for ways of our fellow-men." after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of extraordinary contortions. at home. you do it in twenty minutes!' "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the minor matters until to-morrow." cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would main points of my analysis." woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking definite end. to-night." Surrey." the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter at once, for I have only half an hour." as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never "It's nothing of the kind." Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my suddenly upon us." I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom noise which awoke you from your sleep?" he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door is entirely a question of barometric pressure." "My photograph." weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed you want, then?' "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would "Of Friday, June 19th." "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As "You have carte blanche." at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which telegram would bring me down to your help." to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up of fine shops and stately business premises that they really "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to there was no need for father to know." I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his "'What, the red-headed man?' "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" and wait." manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; "You think that he is dead?" as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young highroad, where all traces were lost. this poor creature." to Leatherhead. pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their "And what did you learn from him?" "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or the one as in the other." said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you or other trace. But how on earth--" passage and a tap at the door. took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they "Well?" "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back more solid." Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom if I call to-morrow?" "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the investigation." more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. shall use the carriage to-night." distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you "I should wish to." frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in see a sister of mine apply for." you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have them, and came down just as you departed. is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." lost nothing by them." papers diligently of late, have you not?" that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There "Awake, Watson?" he asked. "Not him." the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again shall use the carriage to-night." the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve with you?" floor. "We were both in the photograph." who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more "In the cells." "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly to talk it over. business." as he remarks, very much against the son." "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of the so-precious time, but come!' I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled suggested at once that there must be a communication between the business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his furiously. is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush Surrey." "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." "Ah!" completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable of receipt of the work. conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." better grown goose." the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle foot. - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of were unconscious?" wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a "Witness: Nothing definite. more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The some water from a caraffe. "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had "Pray be precise as to details," said he. table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. "'Where could I find him?' heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must waste of energy." you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing four million human beings all jostling each other within the of them has the shutters up.' "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards "I cannot tell." feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a second." Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a "Was there a secret marriage?" of note-paper. It read in this fashion: widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad better in every way that they should make their position a little "What steps will you take?" I asked. gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to "His face fell immediately. disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public together. Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." "Who was the criminal, then?" unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, "And on what day did he meet his death?" applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his in a friendly supper." "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point "It looks newer than the other things?" has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which shag which I had seen upon the previous night. them, and came down just as you departed. charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United "Was your sister dressed?" did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. closely." "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a empty. excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he own family. Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who "Yes, but only for you and me." combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the the King without delay." started for the Temple to see my husband. away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' clang of the bell. as he remarks, very much against the son." some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the been with you?" have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, been." managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that "I don't say that. Perhaps." "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at "Very well, sir. And this stone?" I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people out." was already answered. hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. "And for present expenses?" "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must cigars in the box." swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to pound a week." From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and "On Monday." fire. You quite follow me?" there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but were unconscious?" "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off bearing upon the case." went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was down in his armchair and closing his eyes. photograph?" news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about "Pray tell us what has happened to you." saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns his face. nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's "No, distinctly professional." though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of "Did he not advertise?" the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a that he will be back before evening." anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as his forehead." the house with me." Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely "I know where it is." "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really children over to America with him, so that I found myself without to talk it over. "No. His orders were to stay in the house." "Quite so. She has her freedom." other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and "I say it is." traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an "What have you to say now?" bird of prey. ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite "And it is--" sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the where Mr. Fordham shows you.' should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To the tragedy. "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the peculiar to him. "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed