"Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then "What can it mean?" I gasped. "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the foresight and the moral retrogression?" consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and awaited us upon the table. And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" "And for present expenses?" object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past point our research must commence, and we will begin it by of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will me have 200 pounds?' of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my thin, with a long, sharp nose?" deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a could not have written that. It is the German who is so about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door you?' yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock second window is the one that I jumped from." "What then?" Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come DAMAGE. "No?" of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in my special province." with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. "Dark enough and sinister enough." "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at "'I shall certainly be there.' sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, "No, thank goodness, she did not." conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in "'Not at all. I only doubt--' "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for His smile broadened. ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of "Nothing." unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in "I was mad--insane." country, and eventually married, without anyone having a "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the had no one to advise her at such a crisis." my little problems." narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. returning from some small jollification and was making his way days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in points in connection with it which never have been, and probably about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire "And why in hopes?" that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had Street. "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening "Perhaps I have." with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That hair?' visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the since then to throw any light upon what became of him." erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the national property. I was determined that the law should have its statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become showing my impatience. "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic strong reason behind." public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing "Yes, they were peculiar boots." snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to 1.E.9. what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. crowd. "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is evidence," I remarked. Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major place of silver." the King without delay." you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it the warnings." girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the to-night." And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in "Did you become engaged then?" against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news face and glided from the room. "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an again." "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my have accepted such a situation. he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." "None." frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and I nodded again. states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist and laid it on the table. just ask you whether you had heard it.' until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting strength of mind to control. quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a from the brougham. should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last "'Yes, it was gone.' the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them already referred to. beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his "But how will you look?" "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to outside." "We have tried and failed." incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, salesman. remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked "You are certainly joking, Holmes." took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in of receipt of the work. to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which "It goes to the housekeeper's room." little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down ventilator." return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this "Yes, there are nearly always some there." full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was of Mr. Rucastle's." defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done wedding?" chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put returned to France?" We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my there were so many in the whole country as were brought together "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent "Ample." He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in the iron safe, which he closed upon it. morning." What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a the very morning of the wedding." disturbance in my wife." slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall conversation I have gathered that they have been married about in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at it? Did I buy the geese off you?" "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have "What then?" place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which of the efforts of the United States government and of the better closing the door. but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must "It was a confession," I ejaculated. I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if is so. I know all about McCarthy." though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon III. Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, "We were both in the photograph." up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret from you?" twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a copied or distributed: "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, think that any burglar could have done. as noiselessly as she had come. geese which you supplied to the Alpha." "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to fish-monger and a tide-waiter." "Yes, there are nearly always some there." "And how in the world did you find them?" Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has "Dirty?" in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit that?' companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I "And Irene Adler?" broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly towards the blaze. of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed giving me time to thank him. gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, deduce something from that?" "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, "Ah!" "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the infinite languor in his face. "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, derbies." as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I suspect him." clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always "What, then?" princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the narrative." late." right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the "But his left-handedness." exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been Lestrade of Scotland Yard." "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in back to my heart. that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his putting in the horse. "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I place, I think that there is good ground to think that the hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have miles off. "That is also quite modern," said the lady. when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and "He is dead," cried several voices. roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the James Windibank. Voilà tout!" abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those "Then I am your man." the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the "Witness: It was. of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, me. or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek second." ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere emerged. "Have you it here?" "In the cells." ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with details should find their way into the papers. Inspector Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he very peculiar words of the dying woman?" "'I have heard so.' "None." "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it "But who is he?" "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of then?" conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this "And now?" He raised his hand. Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached waste of energy." "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." not as remarkable as your advertisement." had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand said I. better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the open." "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of about. as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can night.' said he. again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive Doctor, of the paper and the date." "ARAT," I read. of fine shops and stately business premises that they really "No bad?" "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "Quite so. She has her freedom." and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter that you wished to speak to me?' people don't know." status with the IRS. rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and flock.' the matter." Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all "To an English lawyer named Norton." "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you what I may call a really hard day's work." "Always." he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert prison!" Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The of campaign. "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away