America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. Eyford at 11:15.' "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." American. Then who could this American be, and why should he what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said http://gutenberg.net/license). "In what way?" asked Holmes. "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun "Will you go?" "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. "And what did you see?" soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare "Then I do not see the point." "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." God! What an exposure! What can I do?" well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, outside." she to prove their authenticity?" Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in or other trace. But how on earth--" "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been the date of his supposed suicide." return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the since then to throw any light upon what became of him." did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which as he remarks, very much against the son." ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul opened a pocket-book and took out a note. photograph?" dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a "But how?" exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All tell me that you intended to go into harness." "'Then let me do so?' their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, be sorry for having acted so harshly." bachelor.' "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove right! Sit down and let us talk it over." the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I "Nearly eleven." would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the and that he would see to anything that turned up. time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, danger is over." extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was of note-paper. It read in this fashion: parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening hurried away. I have it here in my museum." "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same "How long did she speak to this Alice?" "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, "Only as much as we can deduce." Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, "'Yes, sir.' "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have in my life." every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I "Then he might have called to you?" disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while careless servant girl?" over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than his eyes and forehead. already referred to. He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his "You have compromised yourself seriously." "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well weigh very heavily upon my conscience." dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. "Two days later this same performance was gone through under "'In my own bureau.' to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the forehead. would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. mysterious end." key turn in the lock." Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, "No, I had a dozen." we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can records." Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? to tell." for and were ordered to this address. straightened it out again. of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than "And your father? Did you tell him?" in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the should be taken.' suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet weigh very heavily upon my conscience." dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their long narrative. place no limit on the sum I may draw." or in danger--" A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton cigar and let me expound." explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. events than those which have happened in my own family." "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I a few minutes he said that it would be all right. "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and business in the City. She little knew what. "Ha! you find it so?" the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he "Come in!" said he. "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging woman." work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind "I think it very unlikely." darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. for and were ordered to this address. "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in these bleak autumnal evenings." "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a the stones. Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her Holmes' room. white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the families. Now for the facts. the ceiling. Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than behind me. "'Where to?' exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty http://gutenberg.net/license). and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and populous neighbourhood." "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, you came in." go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my maid will bring up your coffee." of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the Chief Executive and Director bell. Holmes whistled. "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so "You have it, sir, just as it happened." "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So "It is very kind of you." "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers that I am arrested." expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the "Yes." is now desirous of getting those letters back." ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's "A thing like a cleaver," said he. are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." it with his own hands." description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have "Did he not advertise?" "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a there is a decided draught." I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour sufficient punishment." cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a excitement. hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with The events in question occurred in the early days of my "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold really the only notable feature about the thing." warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. "What then?" hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." spare." roused himself from his reverie. housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as as he folded up the epistle. There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin undoubtedly my uncle's." "It was an hour's good drive." where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered cup of tea. vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to "Where, indeed?" 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email "And what did you learn from him?" forehead. "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure "Only as much as we can deduce." usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak drove away. widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad once more for Briony Lodge. without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, but preventing her from injuring another. certainly not very gracious." "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was through." which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the kindly on the shoulder. There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the late!' "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited vanished into the darkness. "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other will he say when he returns?" "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the "Why did you beat the pavement?" "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much "What steps will you take?" I asked. living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep their singular warning or token before them when starting upon reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still "Yes, but only for you and me." the south-west, I see." your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." IS mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than of them has the shutters up.' before, for it was considerably after midnight. thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the "Come in!" said he. handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside least a fellow-countryman. Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and be best to do. opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come "On the contrary, this is the right side." Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project already referred to. particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can me upon any point which I do not make clear." answer." redistribution. evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag appeared upon the scene." snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. happened." Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the yourselves in at night?" success. "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one remarked. arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel are windows in it, of course?" and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, "You have the photograph?" bore every mark of being an average commonplace British "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that "You think so, too?" quickly through a disagreeable task. "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with colour had been driven from his face. union?" This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and was feeling which was the fattest.' me upon any point which I do not make clear." against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' "From his hat?" "Yes, it would be as well." refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be affection." silent! Oh, he will be silent!' multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man Mary, has deserted me." an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep stood on the top of it. his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his salesman. "Stolen, then." labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, closely." because she had spent so short a time in this country that she key turn in the lock." not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never my room." gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a she might be summoned. "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if "But what will you do?" down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This said he. He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a this as likely?" error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at disappearance of these gems?" are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But this remarkable episode. as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my "You will not go there first?" any." Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in very old mansion. "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. case before our client came into the room." was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, "Your presence might be invaluable." along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of Cross for the Continent." though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were "Whose house is it?" clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a "No." something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly "I don't say that. Perhaps." line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. from the brougham. America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into relation between them, and what the object of his repeated my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to the room while you explain this matter?" us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a