the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the thin, with a long, sharp nose?" colonel looking down at me. these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at fattened it expressly for you.' to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary village inn over there?" "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself "No?" he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do generous with you in money matters.' panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally and the whole place is in a blaze." a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of "What, then?" which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to the armchair which I pushed forward for him. it means?" "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money the room while you explain this matter?" a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as "How often?" can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such pressing in one house as in another. "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I woman." latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." dear old homesteads?" all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or ran thus: a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. "But she will refuse." your co-operation." this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might in this way: it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." not as remarkable as your advertisement." learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone gentleman's clothes. late." evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, "I should be immensely obliged to you." circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. the warnings." "Where did he live, then?" Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H "What can it mean?" I gasped. madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I "Yes." he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' prisoner's face. I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism suspect him." like gravel from a pit.' was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I closely." bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he "It missed him, then?" from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated "Where, then, is my wife?" "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as "It was a confession," I ejaculated. seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification asked. goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working ourselves in the office." The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at him, that man would not have given me such complete information down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you upon an income of about 60 pounds." promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan "What have you done?" asked Holmes. the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a you want, then?' I shall continue with my miserable story. find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from "One?" "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and lamp in his hand. "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him once more for Briony Lodge. have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you happened." bearing upon the case." were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I more solid." "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search his cane at the bell-pull. places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his the side-table." business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a to-night's adventure." "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." minor matters until to-morrow." that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. "Now, then, what's the last entry?" distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself in this way: "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain the roots. her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said key turn in the lock." which I could not give. He asked for Alice. of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric "But you can know nothing of this?" Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then neither fascinating nor artistic." "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly "Never." learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered face and glided from the room. "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. security.' "And now?" I asked. "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" "Not social, then?" "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean again, where I was soon asleep. of campaign. whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the here." begin with, and I had not got mine yet." say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is "An accident, I presume?" "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and amused." animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in discontent upon his features. some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is himself to tell his story. happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The "But his lameness?" run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood only touch the interest." "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the "No." gentleman's clothes. Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss and that he would see to anything that turned up. "Your French gold?" "Yes, but only for you and me." I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known habit of advancing money.' "The rest you will leave in our hands." forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity along the entire front of the house, with three long windows "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts the salesman. "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the "'What would be the hours?' I asked. "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias standing smiling on the door-step. your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have "No." noting anything else of interest. His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. meanly of me." breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for yet." an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper back into the street. "And how did you find out?" been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point and the church but not where the lady lived." stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, "And how?" you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small easy-going way." my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered humiliation." go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys "She told me to ask you." "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to there is a decided draught." she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his case-book, which he consulted. "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with people in all walks of life. "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again "Then I am your man." "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I think, you have already met." many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled "I shall be delighted." the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw "'I have already given you my word.' leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given "Yes." I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of she might be summoned. "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his "Come in!" said he. an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. time." nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now The note was undated, and without either signature or address. into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious the driver. in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange Where does the thing come from?' money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, was lame." posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel "My private note-paper." impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a "One of the highest in England." save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time like that before?" We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the "This concluded the examination of the witness." a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the intrusion of other matters." INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said "But how could you guess what the motive was?" The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from certainly do as you advise." came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some business matters.' in one or two places in England?' contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone "I know where it is." in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable "One of his hands." unkempt, staring out at me. unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and "Come in!" said Holmes. "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble "And the murderer?" as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a made him keep the appointment." looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and "Look there!" said he. mysterious business." that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and approach us with offers to donate. Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, 11:15.' and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps