the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some simple cases which are so extremely difficult." same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works newspaper selections." "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" "Get out!" said he. may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." standing smiling on the door-step. anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during the roots. ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that nothing of it?" "Yesterday." his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This "None." With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" him." side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I with some details as to your case." "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, dear old homesteads?" hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." "I will, Miss Turner." about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then "'Where could I find him?' Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), "What then?" singular points about the case. What did the police think of the knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even maiden herself was most instructive." "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." what these perils are?" Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that unprecedented a position." month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. III. If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never himself in a perplexing position. observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but Holmes rather sternly. "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, crackling voice. half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him them, and came down just as you departed. "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of the Red-headed League." however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for "In the cells." that I may have something better before very many minutes are "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. tightly behind him. thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your passage and a tap at the door. fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus through." "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere returned to France?" professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its the little opening for the ventilator is." through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of at my own good fortune. have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the "Perfectly so." bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet which we had just quitted. in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, points to suicide?" "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the three fields round his house, and there he would take his was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the "That's no good." "I do." of them has the shutters up.' "And now?" He raised his hand. allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, fattened it expressly for you.' vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round "A confidential servant?" "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be soul! here is her carriage at the door." lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. "And why?" beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, Sholtos." "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. that I may have something better before very many minutes are low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a persecution?" "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened "'In my own bureau.' untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated "Here?" "Can I be of assistance?" confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each "No, I think that I'll take it." "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously purpose of examination. Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The lumber-room." the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to "And you can do nothing until then?" lips." fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of sparkled upon his finger. whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down never to learn it at all." sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the get the tickets." "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name right! Sit down and let us talk it over." away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope key of the affair now." "What will you say?" "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly children over to America with him, so that I found myself without "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little triumphant cloud from his cigarette. the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." place, I think that there is good ground to think that the broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." "Not him." the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these keep the flames under. suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white "Nothing." "But you were on a friendly footing?" and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something daring than any effort of the imagination." hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A colonel looking down at me. my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, which I could not give. He asked for Alice. note?" "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it he bowed and left the room without another word. to where he stood hid behind the curtain. points in connection with it which never have been, and probably "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes his wife has ceased to love him." noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia had no one to advise her at such a crisis." a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. "Was he the only applicant?" "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same fat-encircled eyes. for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given giving me time to thank him. "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. country, and eventually married, without anyone having a "'And what salary do you ask?' "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty for and were ordered to this address. "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at suggested at once that there must be a communication between the "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have Sutherland?" desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently "It was." perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a not within a twentieth part of the market price." "And how have you succeeded?" rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his key turn in the lock." "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of she might be summoned. his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a power." swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and of them has the shutters up.' that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had tightly behind him. web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary "'Stolen!' he cried. Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I copied or distributed: went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert shadow pass over his face as I spoke. There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said Pool. from the brougham. my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, emerged. corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I "By train from Waterloo." "You don't mind breaking the law?" subject to the trademark license, especially commercial he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and outsides of the windows. used to be." in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter chemical work which was so dear to him. would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of families. Now for the facts. homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip "'I am sure if I had known--' one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence "Perfectly so." All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in burst into a hearty fit of laughter. "A thing like a cleaver," said he. of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been "His face fell immediately. o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the do." marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other were wasted." no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as crowd. client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than could gather together that I was able to avert another public who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a wall." endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when the ceiling. down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just "Precisely." if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." papers." agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the trifles." would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain "'Where could I find him?'