conduct the inquiry." James Windibank. Voilà tout!" sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light least a most suspicious remark." lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can words came to my lips. only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very "I have solved it." "By no means." "Can I be of assistance?" "Very. But will he see it?" neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. individual and becomes the badge of a society." can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such "But she could not love him." at home. "Have you her photograph?" that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further tear off another piece?' when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, "Precisely so. But how--" forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any "Yes, it would be as well." meant." "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. lids now and glanced across at his visitor. it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal out." "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in it with his own hands." when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed some place of shelter and let the county police know what has "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed redistribution. coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his begin with, and I had not got mine yet." which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's bachelor.' "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The him. eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small not fit the lock." I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness as the one I chose?' Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon tension within him. this remarkable episode. she used." I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, writer." knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their his grey eyes. Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" Dr. Gregory B. Newby "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" my room." where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for voice. change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." "Married! When?" no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help chance at all." remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination tension within him. successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was "'I have already given you my word.' box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the to me. of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but outbreak?" dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you the warnings." "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, "Not in a good cause." matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been written. me." said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at "In which, sir?" any little problem which you may submit to me." did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere thought that she would have been so carried away." "'About the same.' I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His "You have carte blanche." said he. "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a "What then?" quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." morning." the stable lane now." every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving "Do you know him?" "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer *** START: FULL LICENSE *** "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room "Yes, at the mines." "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most union?" upon the sideboard." precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." and capable of preserving a secret.' "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His to-night?" I asked. Project Gutenberg-tm works. Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, ordinary clothes on?" myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself "No. His orders were to stay in the house." the dangers which encompass me." brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out "But you were on a friendly footing?" impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then weapon." hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of went to the Alpha were town bred." therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we "And that is--" "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. so far?" him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very nothing with him." They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the narrative." "And from a noble client?" country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which to-night." America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was stammered. Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps been deceived." "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if redistribution. "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a "'A dozen yards or so.' "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the "From his hat?" Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until "Then you may be so with me." him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg morning." "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great "On the contrary, this is the right side." the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled "One of his hands." companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could upon the shelf for the interim." "I shall be delighted." ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. again." having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning crowd. "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that "It's nothing of the kind." gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I "Of Friday, June 19th." said I. "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the him. "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant more terrible than the truth. "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a was shining brightly. "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback "Yes, there are nearly always some there." them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the but preventing her from injuring another. "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed "Certainly." Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself one of the states of the Union." the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond "Nothing?" Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few "Imitated." Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be "Two days later this same performance was gone through under "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by just ask you whether you had heard it.' better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could of this gang." think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the good-night and bustled off upon her way. coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few "Not in the least." "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the written, and locked the door of the office after me. He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything "What?" bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the "Yes." should be so warm over such a trifle." sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure you." that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I towards the blaze. continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church child?' bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll "Why, it's a dummy," said he. believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. me. "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried not, dad?" she asked. were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" formed some opinion?" he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed experiences." Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." married her." all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began of the way of danger. even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds question," said Holmes, smiling. drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have definite end. know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life "'Is 4 pounds a week.' the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his straightened it out again. 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, "Tired-looking or fresh?" "And why in hopes?" "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to "Why serious?" relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly foot. really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless on re-entering her father's house?" "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we best detective that ever lived. my secret was safe in his possession.