himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is "I think that it is very probable." and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the handed it to him. "Absolutely?" 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just both be extremely obliged.' its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a "And leave your case unfinished?" "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a that he has suffered." there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until his knees, staring into the fire. this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce situation." "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." was feeling which was the fattest.' George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of "But you were on a friendly footing?" "It is possible." themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across "Which surely he restored to their owner?" "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or "Have you her photograph?" ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in "What are they?" heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note noble correspondent could be. even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come once more to my work. morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were "'Yes, I promise.' the matter?" my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may the child." promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. in your London, you will know that the office of the company is "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, peculiar to him. half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their my former friend and companion. "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. fear." his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips "Well?" dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck things are very often connected not with the larger but with the of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I intrusion of other matters." it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded the tragedy. came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my "No legal papers or certificates?" you want, then?' which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of "'I have heard so.' questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, me what he had done with the three missing stones. putting in the horse. both be extremely obliged.' "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly residence of the great financier. He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train "That is unusual in a young girl." bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all "You have carte blanche." possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, conduct the inquiry." Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which "Ample." that you wished to speak to me?' "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to would then never go into court at all." vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." "Deserted you?" that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then "I will do it." of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum Mary, has deserted me." squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may chamber." was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she of." fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the directly by questioning you." again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported key of the affair now." "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear "That is also quite modern," said the lady. cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the writer." in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. "Not yet." wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, him, that man would not have given me such complete information what is your own theory as to what took place?" the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each "And when will you call?" you understand?" "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. him. sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings all?" much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding one of the states of the Union." She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. married her." "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social "When did she vanish, then?" "By no means." abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' discontent upon his features. it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project vanished into the darkness. helping a boy to put up the shutters. bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed morning." than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round unclasping of his long thin hands. "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and Munro.' no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me own family. Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have delirious. "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has in one or two places in England?' the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all three of the beryls in it, was missing. "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital of your young ladies.' "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is "And you thought he was pulled back?" He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on "Never to return." "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. have I gained?" as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we matter." the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a "Why serious?" many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting "I beg pardon." acted in my house last night?" me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, have got?" all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place exactly what you advise." constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with God! What an exposure! What can I do?" the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first it means?" "I don't say that. Perhaps." "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or "I shall be delighted." Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given "Ah, but I was recommended to you." the so-precious time, but come!' in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside suddenly upon us." give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then views." already been minutely examined." fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has "Ample." sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who bill, which interests me deeply." Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that sooner or later she must fall a victim. have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend call for protection in the marriage market, for the present to Leatherhead. admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my records." I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as "Yes. He waved his hands." the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very the nursery. gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in green of the new foliage. reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall thin legs towards the fire. very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to "'Yes, sir.' feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It "No, thank goodness, she did not." accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I know all about it," he snarled. snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project the address that was given us in the advertisement. "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or the roots. point in the dark hollow of his hand. your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. "Pray tell us what has happened to you." "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are again on its way. "Not I." "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police front of me. should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot upon an income of about 60 pounds." There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, of your young ladies.' shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg sit on the left-hand side of the driver." realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, "Was your sister dressed?" while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was becomes even more simple." him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from beg that you will break it off." and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot of them has the shutters up.' which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" extraordinary contortions. be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy "Who was the criminal, then?" of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's "I see many objections to any such theory." "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A unprofitable." "You have it, sir, just as it happened." out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded "The King of Scandinavia." crime. pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy "'Where could I find him?' 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a "How on earth--" story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was present strange and interesting features that it is no easy simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for Gutenberg-tm License. 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" assist you in forming an opinion." "'In my own bureau.'