very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding mysterious business." shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a outside. James Windibank. Voilà tout!" was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter retorted upon me, and I on you." money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy to you." "I would give my fortune to have them back." felt the room to be a little close.' on in his house." "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang that threaten you." reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones tightly behind him. Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so "Yes." along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in held up the lantern and gazed about him. "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and sufficient punishment." He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a "He might." Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable maid will bring up your coffee." unprofitable." something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" "On the contrary, this is the right side." touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of "And leave your case unfinished?" "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we fled together." endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper forecastle of an emigrant ship. uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his for securing the situation." where Mr. Fordham shows you.' "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very affection." during that time.' The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear tension within him. out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez 'please.'" destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an "'There is a drive, then?' other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no and effective." roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the at home. and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the "What will you say?" official police." can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who heavily into it. form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm individual and becomes the badge of a society." Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a at home. strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate with the outside air!" me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social before the coroner and the police-court." had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The the matter?" seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until the general public were present, then?" and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again hands. the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a too. "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, of this gang." bedroom door." four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the "'Where could I find him?' posted to-day." volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found morning." "By all means." the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, "Just look it up, then." and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. said he. sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his "What office?" "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was interest. They are important, you understand, without being he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked strong reason behind." seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself information in his hands the value of which he did not himself "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an photograph?" "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that "She showed me, as I told you she would." had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by do you make of it all?" forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know "Well?" their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his "Stoke Moran?" said he. least a most suspicious remark." "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that danger is over." snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always in the port of London." bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. once more for Briony Lodge. "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. "Yes, certainly." morning." "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, "'I have heard so.' Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. the salesman. very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really "That sounds a little paradoxical." conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of photograph a cabinet?" rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There Miss Holder?" doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an about. not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient of this gang." form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are married her." to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his and laid it on the table. "Stoke Moran?" said he. that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back you, my dear young lady?' key of the affair now." presented more singular features than that which was associated "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before indiscretion." upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, there in twenty minutes." Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, bearing upon the case." better in every way that they should make their position a little "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than "There is the writing." slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls "'Ample.' It was close upon four before the door opened, and a served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding you in yours." plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. "And who is her maid?" with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can ventilator." presented more singular features than that which was associated and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then neither fascinating nor artistic." father's young wife. could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious "It is true that I have been generally successful." the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly of the one which your family is now devouring." "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to "At the wedding breakfast." to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I felt?" between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a entirely devoid of interest." asked. he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my tell him that I know him to be innocent." will he say when he returns?" them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." "You think so, too?" therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass "'No, I know no one in these parts.' "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become "'Yes, it was gone.' and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross you in your example." collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon strength in the others." astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it Holmes. "Nothing." six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles someone who had been in Australia." "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at "And you thought he was pulled back?" unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, them, and came down just as you departed. The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern undoubtedly my uncle's." arms and began to sob in a high treble key. "This concluded the examination of the witness." "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and pressing in one house as in another. skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the "How long did she speak to this Alice?" would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the arrested. You then--" opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he "Yes." preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with what do you think they found in the pockets?" form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp not as remarkable as your advertisement." "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was least a most suspicious remark." "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in "But we can't all be." his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever children over to America with him, so that I found myself without in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope your equipment. "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! "'Never.' rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were "But I have heard all that you have heard." severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable "You have the photograph?" Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. the bottom.' yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black anything to a woman, for she would have her way." fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight woman." poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and I leave." London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with him, that man would not have given me such complete information I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were "Thank you. Pray proceed." collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom some water from a caraffe. authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the digesting their breakfasts at home." man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated details." "Why did you beat the pavement?" headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can electronic works the roots. misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." "Certainly." though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." could not account in any way for the presence of the missing unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after "Was there a secret marriage?" "Really! You surprise me." shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. he bowed and left the room without another word. to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I directly by questioning you." this man was intellectual?" hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed cup of tea. eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. or other trace. But how on earth--" studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend "How are you getting on?" was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And criminal. We have already had experience of such." Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle for its centre. should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend