of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the past. clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is arms and began to sob in a high treble key. conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. "Yes, certainly." having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had "Why did you beat the pavement?" "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold "What will you say?" "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you said Mr. Holder. "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were Farm upon the left." would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very conclusions. of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." touch that coronet?' Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, instituted." going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might His name is Francis Prosper." "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the were wasted." sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now such attractions and accomplishments?' on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and mysterious business." the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would noise which awoke you from your sleep?" snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with hurried by. "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if noise which awoke you from your sleep?" him and tried to hold him back. As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent lips." which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most is now desirous of getting those letters back." such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not him. to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may who was a member of your goose club." photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk and capable of preserving a secret.' this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of this remarkable episode. narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he asked. everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any brought there to personate someone, and the real person is "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. use an arc-and-compass breastpin." hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance "'What are you doing there?' he asked. into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you forehead. "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in "None." whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had "Your sister is dead, then?" tightly behind him. surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, conduct the inquiry." against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR whereabouts. "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would points in connection with it which never have been, and probably *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of asked. "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel "But how?" Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I roused himself from his reverie. article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and "Eh? What was that?" there has been an enclosure here!" and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink business came to an end." his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this away into the river." emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I stammered. should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." "Where to?" an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her which I could not give. He asked for Alice. maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. "In heaven's name, what for?" it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear Lee, in the county of Kent." is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no it. "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." strength in the others." had died away into the silence from which it rose. gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been upon the white wrist. "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they in your London, you will know that the office of the company is "And how have you succeeded?" his cane at the bell-pull. fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a and inquire as to the address." "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This dramatic, in fact." will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in The events in question occurred in the early days of my the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or bare slabs of marble. broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though may have an influence upon European history." "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in the inquest, and which are worth considering." are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, in one or two places in England?' "But your client--" "'Ten to two.' merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed father's place of business?" We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had case-book, which he consulted. my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of "What, then, did Peterson do?" "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would it." vague figure huddled up in the darkness. He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable "But what is it you wish?" a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. Clair, of Lee." fasten all the windows?" hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you thin, with a long, sharp nose?" "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I test if we have an answer to our advertisement." "And help." "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and "Well." quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is "And sit in the dark?" prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with "Pray let us have it, for all that." with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to "Yes." Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at absorbing." upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots "How about poison?" been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to "Yes, certainly." yet." save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his "Can I be of assistance?" "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." "Yes." despaired of." which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were suggested at once that there must be a communication between the follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked of." room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which "Was she in good spirits?" She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." The telegram which we eventually received came late one night his face. ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window it means?" "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness thin legs towards the fire. statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A "Who by?" "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you "Do you go out much in society?" more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had developed." "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." meant it for the best. hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which I was concerned in it." table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has "One?" letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here "But the mystery?" I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It very old mansion. my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, galvanised. in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own come either from the window or the door. My attention was opportunities to fix the problem. Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work "You forget that I know nothing about it." the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he desk. pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. "'What would be the hours?' I asked. "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on money should be paid at once.' it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at "About a month then." chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it away into the river." "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from now. It seems that there had been some informality about their about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my beyond words. "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled works. See paragraph 1.E below. which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous had picked up in the wood. rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he you for a few hours?" "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, me. McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose his knees, staring into the fire. Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, likely to be some crony of the landlady's." the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was minor matters until to-morrow." saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very Where does the thing come from?' Holmes rather sternly. whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or papers." "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the "Entirely." the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, infinite languor in his face. spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and him, that man would not have given me such complete information business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: "'What do you call purely nominal?' back into the street. grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies "Where to?" lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot "None." caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. "Never." seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to footfalls from the street. distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So promised to bring home. and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, rose-bushes. "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from