occurred." "And now?" I asked. understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, cause to be." "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its present." "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into are, and they are waiting for us." "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has "I cannot imagine." "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did "In what way?" asked Holmes. secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the "That is not always so easy." and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the said he. at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing "How often?" salesman. fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. "You have but to name it." "Yes, they were peculiar boots." with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant "It is to him that this trophy belongs." "May I see it?" particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had did not hear it also.' weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply "When did it break out?" go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An what I may call a really hard day's work." lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had "'Why that?' I asks. "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to "'Never.' sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has weary and pale-looking. one of them." the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. "'You cannot say what it was?' by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in mysterious end." "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his that the gas is not laid on in his house?" But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. certainly do as you advise." the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did you do it in twenty minutes!' "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City had died away into the silence from which it rose. about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. or in danger--" note?" after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord power." by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more stammered. gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to the tragedy. interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: possible that we could bring him back to her? his cane at the bell-pull. the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" and effective." All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk the ceiling. "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to chair. "But what harm can there be in that?" to-night's adventure." down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's "Quite so." smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange morning." implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in maid will bring up your coffee." With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, "Did he not advertise?" always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the have not had my rubber." away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a the best of training." solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in tassel actually lying upon the pillow. landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it obstinate." and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst "Nothing." your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY secret." "But he might be a bachelor." finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the already referred to. "It is true that I have been generally successful." bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is him to go away.' both be extremely obliged.' was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. "He disappeared so suddenly." "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out unprecedented a position." not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and "You are hungry," I remarked. and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a "But you were on a friendly footing?" "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 salesman. hurried away. trifles." cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to or in danger--" showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic carried out of court." emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as such person." standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was not, dad?" she asked. consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." "The best possible." manager. 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his questionable one." impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. past. as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a of a light. learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your have had none more fantastic than this." in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a the devil!" however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" affair. his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining "Very well, sir. And this stone?" snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with simple cases which are so extremely difficult." have had none more fantastic than this." good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his address. the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." tail." had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was Holmes' room. "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, which I could not give. He asked for Alice. "That is possible." "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no "But you would not advise me to refuse?" goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will "I would pay ten." as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." my secret was safe in his possession. when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." thin legs towards the fire. should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman security.' and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them me have 200 pounds?' "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish before, for it was considerably after midnight. harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, "No sign of it?" As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" light and attacked it." "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible "Proceed, then." "'Never.' and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge copied or distributed: rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm "When did it break out?" nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom too. question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried envelope. had died away into the silence from which it rose. the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with "I think that it is very probable." provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. "Upon what point?" refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the "'Never,' said I. his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally "No." form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in in your London, you will know that the office of the company is without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in "Yes, from Horsham." Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face thin, with a long, sharp nose?" "Nothing?" "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by during the last few years, and there are many noble families to game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. papers must be those that are destroyed.' a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main It may be so in this case, also." from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped one which it was hard to resist. "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can quickly through a disagreeable task. "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so "BALLARAT." horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true bird of prey. endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen "Tired-looking or fresh?" to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" o'clock is it?" voice, changing her seat as requested. in. suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a call for protection in the marriage market, for the present "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending "Not him." such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit at home. homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, success. pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations details should find their way into the papers. Inspector "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. sofa. This way, please!" The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating to tell." the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that upon the white wrist. 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each "And I say east," said my patient. recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of ready to-morrow?' "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" arrested. You then--" it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. visitors." you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not helping a boy to put up the shutters. friend's singular character. Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was dates and names. the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a only touch the interest." "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm or other trace. But how on earth--" this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became "Always." "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land business at Coburg Square is serious." both be extremely obliged.' seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again "You forget that I know nothing about it." with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the if I call to-morrow?" is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. "'Not at all. I only doubt--' rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in "Was the window open?" all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this in your London, you will know that the office of the company is as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of that you can jump it.' "But to whom?" Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside