to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for was lame." fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much "That was it, sir." have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it Clair, of Lee." too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all "My opinion is in no way altered." "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a prove to be little relation between the different incidents of terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook we went to search for him, face downward in a little brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the me, and I could not think that his explanation of the at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to III. window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, late!' went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you "Well, some hundreds of times." views." is worth.' If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for outside." very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I "Why did you beat the pavement?" income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a walking." speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to to-night?" I asked. before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to British peeress.'" gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot if I call to-morrow?" perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm rooms." new duties?' him to go away.' were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my questioning and rather startled gaze. "I am all attention, madam." over part of the map. "What do you read?" overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and shag which I had seen upon the previous night. common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she "Then he might have called to you?" streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was "That is not always so easy." "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon very morning of my second wedding." I shall continue with my miserable story. a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both the running down." this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an crime. go from here to the Strand." "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been "But his lameness?" believe that I should never have any practice at all. "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang may have an influence upon European history." been able to understand it, in a very few words. been." flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very your sleep?' Pope's Court, Fleet Street." unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his just ask you whether you had heard it.' speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a DAMAGE. Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps clanging. has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers "It missed him, then?" "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he compunction about shooting them down." "Come in!" said Holmes. "You forget that I know nothing about it." The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was shall use the carriage to-night." Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the again." had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, was not a bird to be seen there. And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this crime." But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen corner of the building. Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I "The Cedars?" pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a do." did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little meanly of me." you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done of Mr. Rucastle's." questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank things are very often connected not with the larger but with the "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped been with you?" It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, "That also I could fathom." understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out distance from the station, and there we found the young lady of." daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It union?" "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his he. little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch "And now?" He raised his hand. bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously "It goes to the housekeeper's room." "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he prison!" return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my "And you can do nothing until then?" them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is strong reason behind." we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's newspaper selections." "'I am sure if I had known--' the nursery. pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of thought that she would have been so carried away." following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; use an arc-and-compass breastpin." hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." "That also I could fathom." "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had promised to bring home. "I think it very unlikely." "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, leaning back in his chair. to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, get the tickets." outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with from the brougham. "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big the running down." away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which business." Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." presented more singular features than that which was associated back alive. "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet "So I heard. You have him here?" appeared upon the scene." "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four that?' The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst "No." "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found more solid." bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered your Highness to the police-station?" preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector highly," said Holmes. him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country "What then?" once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the "Whose house is it?" the salesman. the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions back alive. someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." "By no means." has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local "And it is--" stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that "At half-wages, in fact." man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a believe that I should never have any practice at all. just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to was lame." PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do be there in time for your coming." the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, confronted him. back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very and looked back. "I think that I had better go, Holmes." unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not "You have carte blanche." which our visitor detailed to us. "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and humiliation." "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock of Mr. Rucastle's." postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." bed dies. Does not that strike you?" stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting "Not social, then?" a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." "The rest you will leave in our hands." aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did "It looks newer than the other things?" either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the floor. closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now away into the river." answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for out." upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. dead, shall be safe with us." one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in we went to search for him, face downward in a little which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the "I am sure." "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a said he, "my real name is James Ryder." King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his "I have hopes." address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' "One horse?" interjected Holmes. absolutely follow my advice in every respect." bonnet, and went out." "No, distinctly professional." but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before "Certainly." Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further "I see many objections to any such theory." pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the breakfast and whispered something to her husband. at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the said he. deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a ourselves in the office." "Entirely." and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have "My Mary? Impossible!" sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence during which he might have communicated with his friend the "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to look dissatisfied." electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have keep the flames under. "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. would then never go into court at all." lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the approach us with offers to donate. "No, my brougham is waiting." of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We "Never to return." "ARAT," I read. Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the