"If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will depend upon your compliance." glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. legal crime." the tragedy. "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation "No. His orders were to stay in the house." home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since anything to do with the matter?" he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, Eyford at 11:15.' "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm helping a boy to put up the shutters. shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity arrangements." relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may "But the mystery?" from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see burst out into a roar of laughter. "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had case before our client came into the room." that you wished to speak to me?' sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly words came to my lips. hurried by. "'Most admirably.' one or two very singular points about this room. For example, the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." Foundation dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend you understand?" among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in round with crates and massive boxes. was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At Farm upon the left." thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you the coronet in his hands?" eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the criminal. We have already had experience of such." "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. ways including including checks, online payments and credit card much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms "That was it, sir." "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" situation." still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" was keenly on my guard against him. us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote more terrible than the truth. "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence "And I to find an enemy." after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about bird of prey. the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and envelope. round with crates and massive boxes. having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his "But his lameness?" beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. noting anything else of interest. eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime and looked back. Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to "I don't believe it." married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding minor matters until to-morrow." been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread tell him that I know him to be innocent." had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small of this gang." joking. better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would made him keep the appointment." "'Ample.' a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" neither fascinating nor artistic." in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of I nodded again. Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms "I am all attention, madam." possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this and wait." "When did she vanish, then?" long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all whether it answered to the description of any of their chair. "And who is her maid?" Lee, in the county of Kent." "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, lids now and glanced across at his visitor. look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save the coronet at all injured?" "No, distinctly professional." "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for subject to the trademark license, especially commercial left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever "Her father is very rich?" any more." "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you "Why did you pick him?" aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper The note was undated, and without either signature or address. "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but "Not yet." a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom detective. "To ruin me." "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the done what I asked you, Jones?" of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will From what you have told me I think that it is possible that "We were both in the photograph." "You have it, sir, just as it happened." though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so British peeress.'" out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." the driver. time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he "Breckinridge is his name." "Precisely." pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something neither fascinating nor artistic." weigh very heavily upon my conscience." "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk thirty. "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit hand, madam?" unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to friends, not even his own brother. whether it answered to the description of any of their I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than might help us?" that he has suffered." during that time.' was a lad." five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the page at http://pglaf.org have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it "And you don't know his address?" "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my then?" money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled get her out of the way." It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales "Then he might have called to you?" little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for outsides of the windows. my friend's incisive reasoning. upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, me." have an American origin." rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual "You'll never persuade me to believe that." than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously should be taken.' "You did not overhear what they said?" until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his "And on what day did he meet his death?" something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's ordinary clothes on?" clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my "Very truly yours, and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, conversation I have gathered that they have been married about Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his plantation.' business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative we went to search for him, face downward in a little "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant the so-precious time, but come!' '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I "You saw the ventilator, too?" and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I once more for Briony Lodge. It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. maid will bring up your coffee." flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so confronted him. are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to before, for it was considerably after midnight. "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently "Just look it up, then." husband's writing, madam." "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." sit on the left-hand side of the driver." little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her "I cannot tell." "And your father? Did you tell him?" people in all walks of life. is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not "Well." unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the whereabouts. would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his hereditary King of Bohemia." "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me compunction about shooting them down." dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still morning." "Awake, Watson?" he asked. "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a trifles." "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the feature." before the coroner and the police-court." me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so "Yes, all." Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of "She walked into the breakfast-room." 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your "'Where to?' quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable "I was certainly surprised to find you there." back into the street. the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to "How about poison?" will find little credit to be gained out of this case." 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William that you can jump it.' shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like some place of shelter and let the county police know what has "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I present." in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, father's place of business?" thirty. "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is think that any burglar could have done. "My stepfather's business papers." as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, some city in a dream. "That you are never beaten." unprecedented a position." headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him would apply.' hardly wander." "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences "Very well, sir. And this stone?" sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed the stones. when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her burst into a hearty fit of laughter. "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a "The murder was done with it." him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice bed dies. Does not that strike you?" such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after your room." yards of it?' call for it in person on Monday morning.' There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in conclusions. congratulate you again." to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the "Because he was handy and would come cheap." frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an "Never." "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for "Yes." death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" highroad, where all traces were lost. little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy