off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned "The decline of his fortunes, then?" crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. during that time.' object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away the Assizes." 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of occurred." "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat it? Did I buy the geese off you?" "But what will you do?" the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but "Oh, fresh and glossy." spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train it with his own hands." "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the "When did it break out?" "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern "He said that you could solve anything." sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could "It must be recovered." left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only "'And what are they worth?' I asked. very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, "Do you go out much in society?" "Dark enough and sinister enough." extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless furiously. such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with October 9, 1890. of note-paper. It read in this fashion: what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, ordinary clothes on?" at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, that before taking the final step I should like to submit the before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope through." disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, "But he might be a bachelor." on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the Holmes." call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would "What then?" already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an Count Von Kramm." "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of once more. of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to "If so, much may have happened between." away in different directions, and I went off to make my own 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of to-morrow." something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming "Imitated." twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and of his shoulders. be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! During two years I have had three consultations and one small With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a washing it down with a long draught of water. passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally in my life." daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable ventilator." companion quietly. simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I better in every way that they should make their position a little Dr. Gregory B. Newby the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did woven round him. "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as most important business. It is probable that he will be away all which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be voice. this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two "ARAT," I read. which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and "I shall most certainly do so." to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill we went to search for him, face downward in a little "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to to you." having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are arms and began to sob in a high treble key. "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards "'In my own bureau.' Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" he. round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! families. Now for the facts. "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the into the room. a room. This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, indeed happy." hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we to have been novel and of interest." slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and States. him, that man would not have given me such complete information it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a use an arc-and-compass breastpin." "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until "'Certainly not. But why?' Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had galvanised. "By train from Waterloo." the one as in the other." We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting question. my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it "The doctor?" "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you "Married! When?" "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. south, for the country is more deserted there." "The knees of his trousers." look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by "The murder was done with it." "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted "You are all wrong." "'Then let me do so?' other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner "Was he the only applicant?" nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. that I can to serve you." Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" entirely devoid of interest." unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness "Pray do so." married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was "There are none." "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in "Yes, the wine-cellar." handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between down in his armchair and closing his eyes. sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the secret." "We have tried and failed." "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the discontent upon his features. her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do opened a pocket-book and took out a note. "And how did he make his money?" "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to Pope's Court, Fleet Street." equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, interested in these little problems, and since you are good "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key room had already been engaged for us. "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." in his power. strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled "Was your sister dressed?" only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" arms and began to sob in a high treble key. "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have "'What would be the hours?' I asked. the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you "But he might be a bachelor." Doctor, of the paper and the date." stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the swore that no one else had been in the front room during the see a sister of mine apply for." telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. place no limit on the sum I may draw." "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety meant it for the best. The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" "He is still with you, I presume?" to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have Surrey." your troubles." with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the held up the lantern and gazed about him. recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with maid will bring up your coffee." "But his left-handedness." "Very murderous indeed." until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, country, and eventually married, without anyone having a Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon dead, shall be safe with us." beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin not personally threatened." beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. "The Cedars?" "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood "'Ten to two.' "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, was already answered. By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but goes." which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her "How did you deduce the select?" "How can you tell that?" his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl "Why, what do you mean?" common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation said he. to that open window." "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to conduct the inquiry." "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre "It is very kind of you." I took the paper from him and read as follows: "VIOLET HUNTER." "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders once more. were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' in him." "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and woven round him. lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort "'Quite sure, dad.' "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more as yours." ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any Edgeware Road. "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. hour." broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper in your London, you will know that the office of the company is "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my here and I will read it to you: it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their open." lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of "You saw the ventilator, too?" she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." "That's no good." could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless The King stared at him in amazement. opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could I leave." importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. assist you in forming an opinion." this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will call for protection in the marriage market, for the present "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: villagers almost as much as their master. "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the from the brougham. the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower "Come in!" said he. usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." "And who is her maid?" pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had weighed down with some great anxiety. "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the "You were travelling in the States?" "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days should be so warm over such a trifle." send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the "He said too much." upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work "A call for help, you thought?" "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in mystery." "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in and the colonel ushered me in. say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these