"It was." crime. "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of his cane at the bell-pull. "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' quite distinctive." advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney "So it appears." bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not "He slept on the premises." she might be summoned. favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as visitors." beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close "None." electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers knowledge of the world." reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my new acquaintance to Baker Street. "Yes, only one." whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. of a light. "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so third from London." on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself 1.E.9. saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be "ARAT," I read. once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." likely to be some crony of the landlady's." ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America "No." repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, "Well." like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those "You will not go there first?" people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did "No, I am descending." merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: congratulate you again." law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his highroad, where all traces were lost. Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and kind enough to tell me what I should do." your Highness to the police-station?" Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we "I was afraid that you were engaged." even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable certainly do as you advise." robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless "Witness: Nothing definite. among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? and no precautions can guard against." "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a "Was he the only applicant?" God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son "You don't mind breaking the law?" "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a "And it is--" present strange and interesting features that it is no easy of Mr. Rucastle's." "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own "Who by?" Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: "Yes. He waved his hands." like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly strange features which were associated with the two crimes which either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can "The knees of his trousers." "What, then, did Peterson do?" three fields round his house, and there he would take his walking." stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then lids now and glanced across at his visitor. "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture "I am sure." "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a "Deserted you?" done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. once more. maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of "I promise," said Holmes. inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after place of silver." emerged. "Well, it is a possible supposition." married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I easy-going way." which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little where she found matters as described by the last witness. again on its way. "Stolen, then." distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat upon the white wrist. and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of despair." taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. "But how could you guess what the motive was?" said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken handed it to him. Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few records." go--none." in this note: you for a few hours?" We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling recover the gem." hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea to-morrow." matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and the dangers which encompass me." "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has sufficient punishment." "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. asked. "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about "Absolutely?" hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but bonnet, and went out." specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a burst out into a roar of laughter. my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining these bleak autumnal evenings." that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, arrested. You then--" commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to straightened it out again. round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This me what he had done with the three missing stones. been anything against him. He had for years been known as a is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an guilty one." them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he recall any case within my experience which looked at the first to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" my former friend and companion. very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: "Bought." rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel families. Now for the facts. Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. "My own seal." sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need "That is unusual in a young girl." conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact just ask you whether you had heard it.' "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the excitement. round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. not, dad?" she asked. upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the "I have solved it." one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a "'Never.' cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' "'Why that?' I asks. "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which "I will do it." leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our served to weaken the effect. Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the married her." "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, "'Ample.' to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' "At the wedding breakfast." sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be events than those which have happened in my own family." "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of "Your sister is dead, then?" cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her "I was afraid that you were engaged." I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and "Witness: It was. the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." "Ha! you find it so?" not interfere, come what may. You understand?" held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" "'Where could I find him?' as he folded up the epistle. so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds morning." never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding "It is no ordinary one." vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, key turn in the lock." "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and "Never." the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, that I may have something better before very many minutes are in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this "No, distinctly professional." "I have solved it." shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the o'clock is it?" as the one I chose?' Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in "And Irene Adler?" words came to my lips. world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah "And how did you find out?" cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. you for a few hours?" hour?' received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, generous with you in money matters.' "Who by?" the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend you." "It was an hour's good drive." It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the not as remarkable as your advertisement." "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the "Ah, but I was recommended to you." Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I clanging. on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy "What will you do, then?" "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I "'Is 4 pounds a week.' "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as have established a very serious case against the son of the "About a month then." of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing "And how did he make his money?" to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this "I am still in the dark." a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. mystery!" people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the wall." Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was "You have the photograph?" sit on the left-hand side of the driver." your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in help us in this matter." a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; "Awake, Watson?" he asked. "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' indiscretion." of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been over his head with a sweet womanly caress. transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but within hail.' "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. hurried by. nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down "But who is he?" "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat "Well." and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, "We have tried and failed." Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a over with notes and figures. He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no "You are all wrong." to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the cost them two and thirty pounds." array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations "Yes, that is the Crown." is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as green of the new foliage. ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight sake, don't!" imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, even so self-evident a thing as that." crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from colour had been driven from his face. that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the upon the sideboard." get her out of the way." "It is true that I have been generally successful." as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who your most interesting statement." "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler