as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young in him." insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of "Then how many are there?" By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll helping a boy to put up the shutters. "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over to miss it." Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if mystery may be cleared along those lines." did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small had this final quarrel? serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and "No. What a strange idea!" which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar "Will you bet, then?" is four-and-twenty." his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" "But he might be a bachelor." father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than "You heard nothing yourself last night?" simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to you?' "I will do it." expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading "How long did she speak to this Alice?" disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty you?' who was a member of your goose club." "What is it?" walking." individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." Foundation "It is no ordinary one." allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. and prosperity to your house. Good-night." the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties arrested. You then--" low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, such person." hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair I. "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that "You heard nothing yourself last night?" "When did it break out?" know that the truth is known." true." "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It "We must sit without light. He would see it through the and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the humiliation." "One of his hands." "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing narrative." he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and and laid it on the table. saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, fuss that is made over them." streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the time." distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the "Then I am your man." fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. own family. it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on "Yes, I have one waiting." gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in she used." he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, "No, finished." suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which Project Gutenberg-tm works. Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to "'Never.' "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We be sorry for having acted so harshly." subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am "I think that I had better go, Holmes." and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined have had none more fantastic than this." The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by License. You must require such a user to return or "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman "What then?" "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip breakfast?" "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw daring than any effort of the imagination." "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United felt the room to be a little close.' lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the "Yes, at the mines." purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right "What have you to say now?" "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. "'What do you call purely nominal?' fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a to have that photograph." and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." Dr. Gregory B. Newby "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it "No. What a strange idea!" with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such presented more singular features than that which was associated third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be "'Why that?' I asks. "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my tension within him. "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he "My Mary? Impossible!" delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how "By no means." wanted for ourselves." whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall article?" "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was posted to-day." "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be go from here to the Strand." Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned "What I expected to see." but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. to go into your room and bar your shutters?" "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and "What I expected to see." in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried joking. But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of child?' can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen Stoke Moran." we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a least a most suspicious remark." chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all was once confined in the cab my mission was practically than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this "That sounds a little paradoxical." him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of until night should bring an explanation. slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, "There is the writing." the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just something of him before." "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the "When did she vanish, then?" send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," very morning of my second wedding." delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. points in connection with it which never have been, and probably you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at jewels which you have stolen?' the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It IS it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales away into the river." be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you "Stoke Moran?" said he. "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird bled considerably." "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards them?" and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk subject to the trademark license, especially commercial crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding the date of his supposed suicide." "'Oh, no.' had a long day." photograph?" "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated that you can jump it.' all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how "When did it break out?" locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, "Dirty?" "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter "'And what are they worth?' I asked. himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my "I see no marks." It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that very old mansion. but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to "Perhaps I have." once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to charge against him will break down." wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall the one as in the other." destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into "One of his hands." it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a Clair, of Lee." "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too already been minutely examined." I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the "And why in hopes?" "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, page at http://pglaf.org "And I say east," said my patient. "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" the so-precious time, but come!' See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, someone who had been in Australia." it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason could gather together that I was able to avert another public I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself him to be an active member of the medical profession." "Was the window open?" Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged down in his armchair and closing his eyes. "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power public press." I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a particular state visit http://pglaf.org a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at hardly wander." thirty. "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal relation between them, and what the object of his repeated "'And what are they worth?' I asked. "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the fuss that is made over them." conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who be.' some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner Again Holmes raved in the air. *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." "What will you say?" "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." again on its way. afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, forehead. "When did she vanish, then?" copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and "Indeed! Whose, then?" not as remarkable as your advertisement." manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond for securing the situation." "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, mysterious business." crackling voice. drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the I leave." "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian "Nearly eleven." then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated such person." train.' "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door wedding?" "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I the inner apartment." "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her Munro.' to affect your life." astonishment. The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." "My private note-paper." saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. "'Certainly not. But why?' noise which awoke you from your sleep?"