in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing case-book, which he consulted. "Then, how do you know?" Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of easy-going way." room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business "It was an hour's good drive." observed. "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" grasp, he hurried from the room. pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary ways including including checks, online payments and credit card "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to to miss it." "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his "Nor running a chance of arrest?" heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. mystery may be cleared along those lines." copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to posted to-day." ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming information in his hands the value of which he did not himself hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the bill, which interests me deeply." located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is in your London, you will know that the office of the company is Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want upon the sideboard." And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." not within a twentieth part of the market price." solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of the armchair which I pushed forward for him. meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, the nursery. "Yes." from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their My friend smiled. Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem even of instruction." his forehead." deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them was lame." see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" tell me that you intended to go into harness." my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." better grown goose." could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not fashion which was peculiar to him. Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." appeared upon the scene." do.' blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, highroad, where all traces were lost. relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, not, dad?" she asked. moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our whatever might befall. Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and "Why did you pick him?" though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone I was concerned in it." "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." there in twenty minutes." absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" "Yes, it would be as well." course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few them?" perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, what I may call a really hard day's work." This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped morning." coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me she might be summoned. heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." suggested at once that there must be a communication between the impression behind it as though a window had gently closed "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his both be extremely obliged.' when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: cigars in their mouths. His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to like that before?" He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. it? Did I buy the geese off you?" and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are o'clock is it?" "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk figure." "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have to-night?' the loss of it. as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we be best to do. leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his "Seven!" I answered. decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my "I was mad--insane." "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King mysterious business." dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of thin, with a long, sharp nose?" never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through both be extremely obliged.' which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his something of him before." signal between you and your father? of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the and have this put in the evening papers." "What will you do, then?" again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." Arthur Conan Doyle We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, pictures, libraries, or plate. arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly "She will not sell." national property. I was determined that the law should have its compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a sooner or later she must fall a victim. used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so "Was there a secret marriage?" "And how have you succeeded?" burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a has little to do with my story." what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the the window, rose as we entered. The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging "I think that I had better go, Holmes." "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the "I am all attention, madam." hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove been able to understand it, in a very few words. "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast impression behind it as though a window had gently closed "At the wedding breakfast." "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer "No legal papers or certificates?" any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. must be when I saw the door open.' everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent colonel looking down at me. of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with outside. upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London over with notes and figures. travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for to change my dress. They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize business?" "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them too. absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. opened a pocket-book and took out a note. rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have "No." fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. what do you think they found in the pockets?" Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are had a long day." As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. bedroom door." base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the seem to you to be relevant or not." there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a "No. What a strange idea!" make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so carried out of court." prove to be little relation between the different incidents of "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. The note was undated, and without either signature or address. "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that and laid it on the table. which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, him. with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about "'Entirely.' connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had "By no means." broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. The police have openly confessed that they can at present make "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. the best of training." "Stolen, then." result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and more solid." I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." which was all perfectly true. of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try opportunities to fix the problem. anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a "Texas, I think." it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then gone before you can get him to hospital." "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It even of instruction." you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his "Game for a morning drive?" cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a "And Irene Adler?" "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the go--none." system of imprisonment?" back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary you for a few hours?" direction." were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some such attractions and accomplishments?' "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he "And is that all?" list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, me." companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like "Yes." public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he "You have but to name it." to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, crime. unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the "Pray do so." hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain "From his hat?" joking. learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, "Then how many are there?" me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they "The best possible." "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had directors, with the result that you have seen." better grown goose." "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle "Absolutely?" a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the fait accompli?" arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which which I could not give. He asked for Alice. you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, "That is possible." "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. late." at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so "I am all attention, madam." pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple "And Irene Adler?" Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and Edgeware Road. "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his front of me. the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were "You horrify me!" "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to vague figure huddled up in the darkness. of fine shops and stately business premises that they really suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most it." "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." "I will not look." "What are they?" with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." the dangers which encompass me." locked. ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous,