"Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited little trying to do so much typewriting?" your co-operation." "And leave your case unfinished?" empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, this remarkable episode. Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he along the entire front of the house, with three long windows unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his to affect your life." he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my The police have openly confessed that they can at present make well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. "Do you go out much in society?" about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; "Yes." first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He "At half-wages, in fact." other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be "How can you tell that?" that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" "Here?" your own bird, so if you wish--" hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that girl said." "I don't believe it." it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about voice. "But how?" need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no him and tried to hold him back. fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of "One of his hands." McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view You can understand that this register and diary may implicate corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between flock.' hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated "Yes, the wine-cellar." "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you that?' "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have "A call for help, you thought?" to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it call the police, let the police find what they can.' position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place right! Sit down and let us talk it over." another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a "Witness: Nothing definite. "Stoke Moran?" said he. out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep this man was intellectual?" have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I waste of energy." "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of straighten it?" thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers "Now, then, what's the last entry?" his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear tail." bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the manager. still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and door?" drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic amused." everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and without success. At last the little money which I had saved began wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always "Yes." "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed a few minutes he said that it would be all right. we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the "Not in the least." heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish test if we have an answer to our advertisement." "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. "My own seal." destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was "ARAT," I read. "It is half-past ten now." Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what "In San Francisco, a year ago." set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, how narrow had been my escape. year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my door?" "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied know that the truth is known." that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting "He said that you could solve anything." "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. Henry Baker is a member." "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his "'I have already given you my word.' Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! Does that suggest anything?" returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the IS "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is "At what time?" "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? four million human beings all jostling each other within the "But how could you guess what the motive was?" its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her the coronet in his hands?" "You are certainly joking, Holmes." groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley and I shall be with you presently." whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached photograph?" he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar "I am following you closely," I answered. "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should in him." prove to be little relation between the different incidents of suggested at once that there must be a communication between the "I am following you closely," I answered. all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up For additional contact information: future lives." from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the at once, for I have only half an hour." named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which my secret was safe in his possession. dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its third from London." "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One derbies." that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. one or two very singular points about this room. For example, action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and "So I heard. You have him here?" keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had his huge brown hands. Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from "But how?" your equipment. succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the you." complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that "'I have already given you my word.' "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." death." sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it conclusions. to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner of a light. "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and in the hope of finding them." "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a "But who is he?" might have a private word with us. he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a all that?" a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" danger is over." the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a bill, which interests me deeply." His name is Francis Prosper." Literary Archive Foundation From what you have told me I think that it is possible that is worth.' business matters.' know all about it," he snarled. instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, use an arc-and-compass breastpin." stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local excitement. present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. galvanised. remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting had no one to advise her at such a crisis." two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, The telegram which we eventually received came late one night abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if "What can you not understand?" forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" if I call to-morrow?" look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual "Did you become engaged then?" to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I carriage. It was a chestnut." conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." it with his own hands." in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency "I should like to see him very much." pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital despaired of." the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was business." "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers waste of energy." did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. "What of the rat, then?" and all of them with the keenest interest. he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, "Where, indeed?" found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had neither fascinating nor artistic." Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all secret." "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, "Look there!" said he. was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer "'Which dealer's?' "You have but to name it." "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in have an American origin." Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking province." ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course be best to do. residence of the great financier. glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. that he has suffered." would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and amused." coat-tails." cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to "'Ten to two.' pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and "'Then let me do so?' closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you "'There is a drive, then?' practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis to go into your room and bar your shutters?" unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of "What are they?" strange features which were associated with the two crimes which refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at for the market.' "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face entirely devoid of interest." Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the ill-usage at the hands of fortune. "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution of campaign. if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his beg that you will break it off." springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson following enigmatical notices: "Never to return." day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in silent! Oh, he will be silent!' "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the I took the paper from him and read as follows: before the coroner and the police-court." distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a him." you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is "But the mystery?" "Well?" merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I "Never to return." Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the followed. you?" "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a "Yes." "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of indeed which he could not unravel. the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open 'please.'" little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble the bottom.' cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would lumber-room." the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and "'Never.' upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from see a sister of mine apply for." "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the interests were the same as his." any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary in this note: arrested. You then--" advice." counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and certainly do as you advise." course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves guilty one." 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental "They are typewritten," I remarked. expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits