"I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, emerged. "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." Lestrade of Scotland Yard." think you a quite exceptional woman." least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and people in all walks of life. stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. head. So long, then!" furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank gone before you can get him to hospital." of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, "In which, sir?" by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. the child." Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the call for it in person on Monday morning.' photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, of it with the greatest attention. look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it not interfere, come what may. You understand?" down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished the night.' house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his there in twenty minutes." who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. awkward doing business with an alias." his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his "It came here." "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, "Ten will be early enough." "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: Dr. Gregory B. Newby remarked. I. to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You anything to a woman, for she would have her way." grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between fashion which was peculiar to him. set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as question," said Holmes, smiling. which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life "Witness: I must still refuse. "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my wedding?" "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting I leave." but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version It may be so in this case, also." 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss "I cannot imagine." foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the "A confidential servant?" "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you "Yes, from Horsham." But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If down from London to inquire more deeply into it." something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a For additional contact information: a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, it." one else, I think." seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' the one as in the other." "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional "It goes to the housekeeper's room." "What is it?" pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I "It is very kind of you." one else, I think." "Yes." about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we with you?" "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own "I cannot imagine." of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project my secret was safe in his possession. than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing "'Oh, no.' such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and opportunities to fix the problem. "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded out." I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist the side-table." distance from the station, and there we found the young lady leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As simple cases which are so extremely difficult." down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable had this final quarrel? look dissatisfied." particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside results." silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a "Not social, then?" all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed the driver. insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much "Very. But will he see it?" "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those passage and a tap at the door. knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything bare slabs of marble. thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I to arrive at through this?" aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste dates and names. "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a be.' sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin "Ten will be early enough." and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother "He said that you could solve anything." traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second the house with me." "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a matters immensely." "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending vague figure huddled up in the darkness. "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will which should have the effect of calling the attention of the gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a "But his left-handedness." pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have voice, changing her seat as requested. unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since village inn over there?" hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some retorted upon me, and I on you." Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she threw himself down with his face to the pillow. our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted colonel looking down at me. doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. without a word or a look. and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened you?" "Come in!" said he. "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in to-morrow." hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible go back?" rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay not personally threatened." VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy green of the new foliage. "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. open." back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. "You'll never persuade me to believe that." screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it events than those which have happened in my own family." "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One entirely lost his self-respect." "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into you?' with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than "I would pay ten." because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I back to my heart. England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do "In the cells." crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, "Here?" "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar not, dad?" she asked. "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is "Why did you beat the pavement?" his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of deduce something from that?" grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the "In answer to an advertisement." "Yes." Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally place no limit on the sum I may draw." simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed you?' man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from hour." deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of been lifted and conveyed somewhere." corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole "Was she in good spirits?" that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most over with notes and figures. "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has "The best possible." Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." anything to a woman, for she would have her way." heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could the inquest, and which are worth considering." "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" business at Coburg Square is serious." "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given helping a boy to put up the shutters. Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to salesman. age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to "I fear not." glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, read over the extraordinary announcement. which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will weighed down with some great anxiety. black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in beyond words. for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must directly by questioning you." her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his now. It seems that there had been some informality about their man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut you?" "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be and shall probably return to London by the evening train." "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for this as likely?" fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. "What then?" "Yesterday." his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent ways of our fellow-men." "Seven!" I answered. red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a "Yes, sir." providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some "No." "You are all wrong." thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its in my life." I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave License. You must require such a user to return or "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, "But who is he?" possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob "My dear Holmes!" was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." presented which may be striking and bizarre without being