carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," "Certainly." of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is "You have a clue?" "'Where to?' Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce look upon these things in a different way." I shall communicate with you." "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. bonnet, and went out." TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." asked. fear." know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading "What shall I do?" "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, "'Yes, sir.' he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or "Holmes, the busybody!" Heh?' "She will not sell." ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." had picked up in the wood. "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal despaired of." "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, made him keep the appointment." a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a eavesdroppers?' discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." to have been novel and of interest." I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from noting anything else of interest. fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter "And why in hopes?" continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that ago." believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a "I was sure that I might rely on you." such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." "That is also quite modern," said the lady. "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which of it with the greatest attention. table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you "And Irene Adler?" he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. me what he had done with the three missing stones. "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue "No." remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project "But the mystery?" "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, respectable self." I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." "I cannot say that I have." outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small fluttered off among the others. was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I once more to my work. he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and "Was the window open?" are, I think, all that we need." to affect your life." India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence "A confidential servant?" he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found purpose equally well?" future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture that?' up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. away to you." "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered instituted." at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper "No?" "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to will be renamed. "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to case before our client came into the room." web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' allusion to a rat. back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would their singular warning or token before them when starting upon metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. the stable lane now." But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not you found me to-night--and running through the front room she and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, have accepted such a situation. "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" It may be so in this case, also." "Pray let us have it, for all that." Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it learned something! Where are the gems?" Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I daring than any effort of the imagination." arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to himself to hunt down. bare slabs of marble. "What I expected to see." reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if already referred to. "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began matter." coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in he died? "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said what I may call a really hard day's work." "So I am. Very much so." Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by them, and came down just as you departed. was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that think, you have already met." slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. wedding?" these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for you do it in twenty minutes!' 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. absorbing." "But you have hopes?" "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully burst out into a roar of laughter. crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to "That is not always so easy." correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us outside." tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her not personally threatened." "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a "Get out!" said he. "Deserted you?" "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler it right.' "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the fled together." morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." place, I think that there is good ground to think that the "'I have already given you my word.' McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which Street. companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do and your relations to her." "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, in this way: good-night and bustled off upon her way. unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy off." was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and then?" her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your in a friendly supper." fear." husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that the coronet in his hand?" "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the 1.E.9. slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, hurried away. my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its "Precisely." remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father mystery may be cleared along those lines." we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we crime. and have this put in the evening papers." backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove "No, I am descending." out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving wedding?" array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in all?" golden eyeglasses. "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and "I shall be delighted." "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a of the efforts of the United States government and of the better man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you "You are all wrong." sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has "Yes, from Horsham." lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, "Yes, that is the Crown." He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email photograph?" vague figure huddled up in the darkness. servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the and I shall be with you presently." lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of there were one or two details which were new to me. But the "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the helping a boy to put up the shutters. and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. "Pray tell us what has happened to you." Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between examine." scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the that I may have something better before very many minutes are the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the extraordinary contortions. Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. there were one or two details which were new to me. But the "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, just ask you whether you had heard it.' winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling the bottom.' pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. "Eh? What was that?" written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you "I am armed." against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me "Stolen." done what I asked you, Jones?" rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently "We must sit without light. He would see it through the "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a a very grave face. words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the there has been an enclosure here!" cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce Holmes' room. firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to looking up at the numbers of the houses." "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy hurried away. can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical unprofitable." that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double and have this put in the evening papers." outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you not use it unless it is absolutely needed." shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had straighten it?" "None." Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that be best to do. main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so sentimental considerations in the background which would induce "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a absorbing." body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our the Friday. Was it to be in church?" in one or two places in England?' case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we "Just look it up, then." moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste