"At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. "Nothing." written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an you understand?" *** START: FULL LICENSE *** whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless "My opinion is in no way altered." standing smiling on the door-step. Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but overpowering excitement and concern. "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I quick march!" The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while the Red-headed League." "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit call the police, let the police find what they can.' presented which may be striking and bizarre without being age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded discontent upon his features. after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would fasten all the windows?" access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low experiences." and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few about. of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry affection." immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely straightened it out again. dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She "By no means." both be extremely obliged.' where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. depend upon your compliance." "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the that you can jump it.' repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San ashen face. "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that as he folded up the epistle. "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a over his head with a sweet womanly caress. there was no need for father to know." anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made said he at last. I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' writing, and yet I know it well." to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be once more on the important position which you have been fortunate "'What do you call purely nominal?' you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to your only hope of safety." not within a twentieth part of the market price." is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil opened the door, and slipped through. "Yes, sir." rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you relief. the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. "I am still in the dark." "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the returned to France?" foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger it. deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as "Pray do so." stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack "At the wedding breakfast." certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of crowd. figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his "You have carte blanche." Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small locked. attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, Serpentine Avenue. "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." from you?" round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I and the church but not where the lady lived." invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in "That is not always so easy." grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he McCarthy." satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, "Nearly eleven." Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I I held the little printed slip to the light. that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was over part of the map. "What do you read?" I leave." "From his hat?" was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging long narrative. snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened back to my heart. "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," might have a private word with us. "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; "Yes, I have one waiting." "Yes." fish-monger and a tide-waiter." that before taking the final step I should like to submit the "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I prison!" "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for compunction about shooting them down." soul! here is her carriage at the door." villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching "Nothing?" three fields round his house, and there he would take his "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." thin, with a long, sharp nose?" that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, disappearance of the bride.'" "But his lameness?" had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and make me his representative both with the servants and with the passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits been." certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far acted in my house last night?" views." month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your "I was afraid that you were engaged." "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I "Do you receive much company?" he asked. to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" there!' "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had fuss that is made over them." stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this and that he would see to anything that turned up. "Bought." had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, fish-monger and a tide-waiter." he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously "Not social, then?" stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A it with his own hands." subject to the trademark license, especially commercial The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and sentimental considerations in the background which would induce reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story was the fact that his father should, according to his account, office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the During two years I have had three consultations and one small buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the "No, I am descending." was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which "That is also quite modern," said the lady. hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, "She showed me, as I told you she would." and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over himself to tell his story. calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a "And now?" He raised his hand. Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue "'Where to?' have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened nothing of it?" would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I you." since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, again on its way. which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any investigation." while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who must be when I saw the door open.' while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping business matters.' have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with south, for the country is more deserted there." "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless point in the dark hollow of his hand. it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm acquaintance?" would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the make me his representative both with the servants and with the "No." the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what "And the murderer?" "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. presented more singular features than that which was associated the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness keep the flames under. myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. crime. inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a "Yes, all." "Frequently." where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. "What will you do, then?" not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and "Who by?" your sleep?' with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all "You know me, then?" lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." to talk it over. would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of "No, I had a dozen." which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. and looked back. Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, such attractions and accomplishments?' "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I with frightened eyes at his accuser. it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search not as remarkable as your advertisement." docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened me, and I could not think that his explanation of the web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my you do it in twenty minutes!' answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! in your London, you will know that the office of the company is like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and people in all walks of life. even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is orange pips. The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, that before taking the final step I should like to submit the whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was get her out of the way." him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with writing, and yet I know it well." are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was ceremony." assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders individual and becomes the badge of a society." "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the ways of our fellow-men." "Nothing." of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" "Nothing." body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the mystery may be cleared along those lines." adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me fishes. him nearly every evening." lost nothing by them." in a friendly supper." cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on amused." no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" "Of what?" "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that anything to a woman, for she would have her way." Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, that you wished to speak to me?' "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should "My dear Holmes!" few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the look dissatisfied." know what is wrong with it.' vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. *** START: FULL LICENSE *** "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss "In the cells." I think that I could be of assistance to you." "I am sure." undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. "That is possible." overpowering excitement and concern. girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" "Pray continue your narrative." come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and "But I am all in the dark." he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain for its centre. I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case "Murdered?" unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of Gutenberg-tm License. save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by "You know me, then?" bears upon the case?" will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. of the efforts of the United States government and of the better astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird,