frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to "That is unusual in a young girl." and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded IS "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into was once confined in the cab my mission was practically Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered go back?" Stoke Moran." happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to "You have a clue?" what is your own theory as to what took place?" afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I "'Yes, it was gone.' Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." "No sign of it?" thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing Foundation moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. the house with me." Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the "And how did you find out?" Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. conceal it?" shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the "And the murderer?" mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each "The King of Scandinavia." across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl felt?" baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that most interesting one." despair." with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's been deceived." "That's no good." said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the again on its way. "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. "Yes, it was twisted." same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the because she had spent so short a time in this country that she Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for started for the Temple to see my husband. "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing "Not particularly." attention." prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment call it cruel." The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a Farm upon the left." since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see and files of the old papers, following the future career of every fasten all the windows?" from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his down. array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque "My opinion is in no way altered." the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the his forehead." "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the come either from the window or the door. My attention was the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, Project Gutenberg-tm works. you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the the side-table." time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were tell him that I know him to be innocent." Again Holmes raved in the air. a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which his eyes and forehead. husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the if she died from some sudden fright." "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. served to weaken the effect. last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. of the efforts of the United States government and of the better transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but "What shall I do?" one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, bears upon the case?" passage and a tap at the door. The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, "And leave your case unfinished?" the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter your room." methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our "I saw her in conversation with her maid." who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that what these perils are?" "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may call the police, let the police find what they can.' "I promise," said Holmes. points to suicide?" him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" pictures, libraries, or plate. lamp in his hand. opened a pocket-book and took out a note. came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere 'I should be able to look after that for you.' a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has nothing with him." usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, "And what did you see?" clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed to-morrow." "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You me. You must get home instantly and act." "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was "Well?" prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax "And you don't know his address?" up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and "Yes, but only for you and me." and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in "Yes." can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, him!" clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. a good hundred miles off by now." too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. money should be paid at once.' sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what girl said." "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for through." "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old "Upon what point?" find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and have had none more fantastic than this." St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her persecution?" I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day "If I can be of use." dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my "We have tried and failed." flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is girl said." chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing any little problem which you may submit to me." after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." him and tried to hold him back. go from here to the Strand." surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have very peculiar words of the dying woman?" brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper Street. Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the Doctor, of the paper and the date." "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never "In San Francisco, a year ago." received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with desk. I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie "Then I can wait in the next room." home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a four million human beings all jostling each other within the drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the acquaintance?" "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you chance." "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged had no one to advise her at such a crisis." returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little "What! You do not mean bodies?" again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as "Always." than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was this remarkable episode. enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the "In the cells." the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of the one as in the other." is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something outside. words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my "Get out!" said he. father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was "It is possible." I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you to-night." the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin humiliation." "Just look it up, then." entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was deduce something from that?" give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come "No." "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have me what he had done with the three missing stones. from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." to some other building. horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is "He said that you could solve anything." perplexity from it to my illustrious client. doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a newspaper selections." providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge did not hear it also.' frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very awaited us upon the table. my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should lost his Christmas dinner." objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no "But what will you do?" Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. prove to be little relation between the different incidents of and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, "I have hopes." that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who "'Yes, sir.' prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works it." their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to "Very truly yours, Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your redistribution. it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see prove to be little relation between the different incidents of so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a to a more successful conclusion." between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the true." beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. his knees, staring into the fire. which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that as this. Pray let me have the details." at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her trifles." that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of individual and becomes the badge of a society." imbecility!" he cried. out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws.