papers diligently of late, have you not?" was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk populous neighbourhood." course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of means taking possession of that which another person has a prior his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will like that before?" was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a sufficient punishment." occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the her also." evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. must be when I saw the door open.' at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any from the brougham. tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that bird I ate is country bred." "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. "Very murderous indeed." was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband anything to do with the matter?" saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever seen the man in the road." And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless appointment with me for six o'clock?" Cross for the Continent." saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more John Swain, of St. Augustine. of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and sooner or later she must fall a victim. breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the questioning and rather startled gaze. Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." bed dies. Does not that strike you?" table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." too. faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me closely." slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call "How did you deduce the select?" gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." "Really! You surprise me." he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from "But who is he?" that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. "But how did you gain them?" "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened amused." approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a "I should wish to." was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of them?" collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking horse could go." ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. "And for present expenses?" blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he heavily into it. absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" instincts rose up against that laugh. lamp. which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." despair." unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and said he. "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their this as likely?" wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, upon a handsome competence. you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after "Yes. He waved his hands." this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a DISSOLVED. drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. outside." ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider "I am following you closely," I answered. was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' During two years I have had three consultations and one small "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob "Well, it is a possible supposition." and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into "What shall I do?" From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have "'Where to?' received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend prepare for the new role I have to play." 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical "Yes, sir." "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that becomes even more simple." wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right father's place of business?" "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, "I am sure." "The decline of his fortunes, then?" upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking open." merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did is a common subject for conversation. Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and "'I have heard so.' betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the into the bag, and made for the door. out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She "Only as much as we can deduce." and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that over his head with a sweet womanly caress. room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes the window, rose as we entered. neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the seen the man in the road." "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. allusion to a rat. tell him that I know him to be innocent." office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE it." took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key "Oh, fresh and glossy." comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what young Openshaw's." find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, point in the dark hollow of his hand. predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the ashen face. repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right me where it went to?" my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a "But she could not love him." "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking "A confidential servant?" shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean laugh and put his lips to my ear. for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out for and were ordered to this address. and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from "What then?" off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. at once, for I have only half an hour." "'As governess?' always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may overpowering excitement and concern. "I say it is." an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt Farm upon the left." "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' just called myself is not exactly my own." "An accident, I presume?" "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." mystery." been anything against him. He had for years been known as a Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was "'Why that?' I asks. astonishment. the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter "None." 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a my former friend and companion. room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" the devil!" animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter him, that man would not have given me such complete information here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, down. tell them apart.' innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see you for a few hours?" reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an not interfere, come what may. You understand?" at home. carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the hopeless attempt at recovering them." "And for present expenses?" "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a never came back." separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for I took the paper from him and read as follows: manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin which should have the effect of calling the attention of the foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to row." there." "If so, much may have happened between." "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is "I cannot say that I have." original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some you." a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had stepfather?" very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire "'And what salary do you ask?' coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), "I think it very unlikely." reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect learned something! Where are the gems?" little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could "May I see it?" I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you that I may have something better before very many minutes are absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to "Perhaps we may make them less so." than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the speckled band?" be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes "None." separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the down in his armchair and closing his eyes. "I am armed." recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project His name is Francis Prosper." great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came rat could hardly pass through." "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. "I have hopes." her also." from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his "Well, but China?" The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in eat it." there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small The police have openly confessed that they can at present make easy-going way." full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an a room. "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer nonsense.' does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm was feeling which was the fattest.' for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. "No, I am descending." "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which tell him that I know him to be innocent." Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the was not a bird to be seen there. arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found derbies." "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord she slowly sank and died without having recovered her assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a straightened it out again. in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See "Dr. Becher's." centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no "Yes." am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in "Yes." deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without "I cannot tell." few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's "Pray tell us what has happened to you." coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know answered with a sidelong glance. by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & the driver. If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his "'Most admirably.' "You have the photograph?" bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to I nodded again. his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of himself. look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I "He is still with you, I presume?" dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future dear old homesteads?" "No." with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. "Really! You surprise me." value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the "Then I am your man." together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." "Nearly eleven." the one as in the other." "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with and no precautions can guard against." "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary least a fellow-countryman. will take you up to see the machine.' the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been you?" of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the companion imperturbably. convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching true." front of me.