somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a that threaten you." open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has what I may call a really hard day's work." SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she "To an English lawyer named Norton." "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." sneer upon his pale face. "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily of fine shops and stately business premises that they really safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor me." seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which subject to the trademark license, especially commercial I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There thirty. the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it once more to my work. "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns "You horrify me." "You are all wrong." me what he had done with the three missing stones. her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found I nodded to show that I had heard. parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the will be renamed. our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he "And that is--" caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which and your relations to her." Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce problems help me to do so." chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put straighten it?" "They are typewritten," I remarked. shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to note?" very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter corner of the building. writer." 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and paper in the air. But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were "But we can't all be." "I shall most certainly do so." "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those "But how?" if she died from some sudden fright." "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the strode off upon his way. on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler fear." "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a pity, because in other respects you would really have done very delirious. shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the here." "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly she used." effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I this unhappy family?" these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if License. You must require such a user to return or power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have stood on the top of it. "'You cannot say what it was?' "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little "Certainly, madam." have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was McCarthy." him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the beg that you will break it off." Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' Lee, in the county of Kent." the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" wanted for ourselves." have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo I shall continue with my miserable story. "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a so far?" "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no existence." street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my detained." the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing "Yes, it would be as well." "'I am sure if I had known--' showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. "But you would not advise me to refuse?" us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she "Well." home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four I. Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic "What! Had he lost his wife?" and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I Count Von Kramm." fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across events, Mr. Windibank!" "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in "Yes, from Horsham." becomes even more simple." happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of spare." "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and "What can it mean?" I gasped. the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this spare." determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that certainly not very gracious." him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the delighted to hear it," he said. kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and Surrey." "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to neither fascinating nor artistic." Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that overpowering excitement and concern. down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that "Pray do so." younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia prove to be little relation between the different incidents of "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. drawing your inferences." place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's least a most suspicious remark." "I should wish to." present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it national property. I was determined that the law should have its endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a "'No, I know no one in these parts.' the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had in him." "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now fear." struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her down. "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray me have 200 pounds?' earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a is worth.' with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the confronted him. "One of the highest in England." regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" it were putty." Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had Sutherland. my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, approach us with offers to donate. "No more words. Get out!" knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up with the outside air!" experiences." was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his which should have the effect of calling the attention of the next day. "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked yourselves in at night?" seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the ourselves in the office." the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I "Why did you pick him?" mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous "Stolen, then." make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous unclasping of his long thin hands. "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few interested in these little problems, and since you are good had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I directly by questioning you." after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for "It is solved." looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." "Ha! you find it so?" "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning "No, I had a dozen." across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work "So it appears." "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my outside." his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in business matters.' Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a "Can I be of assistance?" when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There "This concluded the examination of the witness." on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw frequently gained my first real insight into the character of back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is James Windibank. Voilà tout!" we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I "I cannot say that I have." There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My had no one to advise her at such a crisis." "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a Foundation friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given the so-precious time, but come!' waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable should be taken.' used to be." harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as "I was afraid that you were engaged." John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over crackling voice. "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this "I do." from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note business?" and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached shall use the carriage to-night." seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could other lovers by making love himself." followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the "'Yes, sir.' deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can touch that coronet?' have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a so far?" appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when "No, but the enclosure is." took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, McCarthy." meant." other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and The King stared at him in amazement. hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if "No, I think that I'll take it." data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been house for five minutes.' marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other "He said that you could solve anything." The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. "What are they?" "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there electronic works "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your bird I ate is country bred." "You were travelling in the States?" "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' over here."