"It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate 11:15.' another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to "'About the same.' all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." late!' shall use the carriage to-night." "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without horse could go." thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, test if we have an answer to our advertisement." to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for "And why?" rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she them?" boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal "Always." the iron safe, which he closed upon it. and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding look dissatisfied." great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." disappearance of the bride.'" "Why? What do you mean?" protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he "That was it, sir." father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several you want, then?' the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend companion imperturbably. our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing maiden herself was most instructive." "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able fluttered off among the others. safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included "You don't mind breaking the law?" discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is leave you to your papers for a little." "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his matter." "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it "No, distinctly professional." "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." was keenly on my guard against him. to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." "'And the work?' away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. "And when will you call?" to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed views." "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens papers must be those that are destroyed.' dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a do.' next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood "And why?" down from London to inquire more deeply into it." such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could your only hope of safety." He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents "What steps will you take?" I asked. the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is views." that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I "The best possible." down from London to inquire more deeply into it." "Did he not advertise?" of campaign. Lestrade of Scotland Yard." way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and true." "I never have." He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If "BALLARAT." remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he papers diligently of late, have you not?" Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so "My stepfather's business papers." "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might will take you up to see the machine.' sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." see me here to avoid scandal." wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she of note-paper. It read in this fashion: I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may 'please.'" St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did speckled band?" in a friendly supper." the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." "Who was the criminal, then?" the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that your most interesting statement." their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, I took the paper from him and read as follows: Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. get her out of the way." the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not "I shall be delighted." distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than bill, which interests me deeply." and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. existence." theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even had this final quarrel? He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I "Certainly." set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as your troubles." three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the into the room. his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his shadow pass over his face as I spoke. a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had daring than any effort of the imagination." door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked ashen face. of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, letters?" "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged "I have my revolver," said I. "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I of his shoulders. everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. been lifted and conveyed somewhere." my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" chamber." "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and tell them apart.' "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the may never be exposed to such a temptation." very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat "You don't mind breaking the law?" "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of until night should bring an explanation. together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set it right.' with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous drawing your inferences." which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house "Yes." extraordinary contortions. slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" Miss Holder?" "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." "Yes." closely." believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all Munro.' Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. "We have tried and failed." "Pray do so." past. meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. with her." farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing "My private note-paper." glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered "What do you mean?" both be extremely obliged.' "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the could not account in any way for the presence of the missing dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out eavesdroppers?' "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar several quiet little villages up there." "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the heavy and sharp instrument." young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary the station." "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was and inquire as to the address." "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 "I have seen the police." dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window conversation I have gathered that they have been married about cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a have established a very serious case against the son of the "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about very peculiar words of the dying woman?" morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to "So I have heard." "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year matter over." "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey one of them." access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided "This photograph!" One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a "On Monday." dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor main points of my analysis." toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as indiscretion." him." tassel actually lying upon the pillow. may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my was already answered. village inn over there?" sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have "Oh, fresh and glossy." it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. of Mr. Rucastle's." which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I "I don't say that. Perhaps." have accepted such a situation. "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin "'Is 4 pounds a week.' Countess of Morcar's?" "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his his face. "Ample." "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. companion. that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late key of the affair now." rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the I think that I could be of assistance to you." my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, "Which are?" crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our flock.' hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" are windows in it, of course?" very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by "What! a murderous attack?" only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me during that time.' intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of the roots. one or two very singular points about this room. For example, I nodded again. one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. imbecility!" he cried. cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always sneer upon his pale face. "And what did you learn from him?" even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name "I see no marks." "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have