"Married! When?" "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, "Frequently." assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's which are rolled in Rotterdam." into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. "Could he throw no light?" Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. my little problems." "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he Street. "Then you may be so with me." parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. served to weaken the effect. never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I but preventing her from injuring another. chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across "I have solved it." called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was "I am following you closely," I answered. the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that whatever might befall. has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was cup of tea. a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall Stoke Moran." brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but on re-entering her father's house?" ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we "So I am. Very much so." "Yes, it was twisted." owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of "Nothing." which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face call for protection in the marriage market, for the present have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us McCarthy's innocence. our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass "'Certainly,' I answered. son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter straightened it out again. know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it remarked. lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon night.' said he. and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, already referred to. day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a "And what did you see?" "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon there." the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "How did he come?" "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the envelope. "The Coroner: What do you mean? found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact "But what is it you wish?" Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, be there in time for your coming." I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father "I am armed." more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." "It is very clear." inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do in my life." "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were at my own good fortune. work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be "Was the window open?" home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a as he remarks, very much against the son." details should find their way into the papers. Inspector I nodded to show that I had heard. Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that "No." police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age despair." "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been future lives." Stoke Moran." evidence," I remarked. animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple chamber." Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the It was close upon four before the door opened, and a constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, said he. tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," flock.' garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One "I am about to be married." "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a "'What do you call purely nominal?' self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, "I am sure." whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even light and attacked it." way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just digesting their breakfasts at home." time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should never came back." had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the you for a few hours?" which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She of campaign. "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of "'What, the red-headed man?' "It was." act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of 1.F. "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." "It was a confession," I ejaculated. Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from the King without delay." "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke "It is very kind of you." is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," which our visitor detailed to us. will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own "'What, the red-headed man?' only touch the interest." and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a and prosperity to your house. Good-night." the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present to-night?' About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and "But you can know nothing of this?" facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." good-night and bustled off upon her way. young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves papers." the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a highroad, where all traces were lost. "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have better grown goose." long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray minor matters until to-morrow." them?" Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" you for a few hours?" vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made deduce something from that?" black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind "And why?" seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to tear off another piece?' every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change information in his hands the value of which he did not himself There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me hour?' your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and "'Certainly not. But why?' Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a been." to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen the running down." being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. "Of what day?" had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a "You heard nothing yourself last night?" we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And drawing your inferences." myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is "Then he might have called to you?" "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light "I am all attention, madam." "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea approach us with offers to donate. little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and "No, I think that I'll take it." panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general and that he would see to anything that turned up. details should find their way into the papers. Inspector the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that noble correspondent could be. business came to an end." "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the "Is he quiet?" Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" there is a decided draught." to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or not within a twentieth part of the market price." I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had true." I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his intrusion of other matters." question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can could go. "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, Leave Paddington by the 11:15." "Then, how do you know?" deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be absolutely follow my advice in every respect." "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. examine." business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your late!' "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. "Who by?" imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), the salesman. As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an colour had been driven from his face. quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press "I should be immensely obliged to you." "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I the dangers which encompass me." could gather together that I was able to avert another public time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. asked. dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" few hundred pounds.' invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or "And the murderer?" police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said followed. low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what note?" "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom or other trace. But how on earth--" gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door companion quietly. at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography visitors." cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of better grown goose." there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and conduct the inquiry." from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout "Stolen." halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw lost nothing by them." it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any horse could go." views." which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and was already answered. pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time "No, but the enclosure is." "'As governess?' have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. had died away into the silence from which it rose. "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can and files of the old papers, following the future career of every reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." floor. "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these as this. Pray let me have the details." "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great "There is the writing." stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we three fields round his house, and there he would take his she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been