an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is Clair, of Lee." they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine question. "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by him." delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was seven miles from Eyford Station.' events, Mr. Windibank!" Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions "In what way?" asked Holmes. the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, nothing of it?" people don't know." and no precautions can guard against." this man was intellectual?" Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for said I. woman." suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on Mrs. Toller serenely. "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in "And Irene Adler?" "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, "I do." suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin Pool. "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I cigar and let me expound." the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to sufficient punishment." too. upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, "That is easily got." "What I expected to see." the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid "'Where to?' "Was your sister dressed?" flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery relation between them, and what the object of his repeated "I think that it is very probable." "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the questionable one." customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming affair. introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. "Now, then, what's the last entry?" I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside started for the Temple to see my husband. his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that tell him that I know him to be innocent." "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until "You saw the ventilator, too?" "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that was a loud and authoritative tap. leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could works. as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it "Yes, all." be sorry for having acted so harshly." her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate again." could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough Sutherland. as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and "Well?" interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: "I will do it." clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw "And the cigar-holder?" for and were ordered to this address. can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in question. "It is possible." I approached. asked. "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was breakfast." pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which rat could hardly pass through." work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, "Dr. Becher's." would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor is acting for the best. "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you come either from the window or the door. My attention was lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold "But you have hopes?" than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though that he has suffered." distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. to that open window." have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than "I saw her in conversation with her maid." scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the some mystery and the punishment of some crime." helping a boy to put up the shutters. importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came "A confidential servant?" lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built "And now?" He raised his hand. "Deserted you?" "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one formed some opinion?" hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of singular points about the case. What did the police think of the perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the despair." "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and "I would give my fortune to have them back." "But to whom?" He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar "No, I had a dozen." Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed tied." corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a distinguish the words: the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, maiden herself was most instructive." them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I "'Quite sure, dad.' go--none." In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the "Two days later this same performance was gone through under through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can narrative." "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with "Yes." door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he lips." there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made "Seven!" I answered. money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. "Did you observe the colour?" know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he as he folded up the epistle. be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague presented which may be striking and bizarre without being "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite "'A dozen yards or so.' The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was "What!" he roared. intimate personal affairs in this public manner." passage and a tap at the door. to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere "The landlord of the Alpha." face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to money should be paid at once.' copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the "That was it, sir." what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle "At the wedding breakfast." not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end not use it unless it is absolutely needed." again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking wedding?" shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough wedding?" Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I "Seven!" I answered. Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, money should be paid at once.' "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that forebodings. human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of "He said that you could solve anything." Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent crackling voice. "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly "I was mad--insane." bill, which interests me deeply." of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a anything to a woman, for she would have her way." reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly "'About the same.' burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." "Eh? What was that?" "'Where to?' she slowly sank and died without having recovered her you give your casting vote to?" "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I trifles." be sorry for having acted so harshly." "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all in him." brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a "What! You do not mean bodies?" Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." Where does the thing come from?' Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. companion. turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the of a light. borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I the house with me." twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow of a light. admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect away to you." "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called had a long day." Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I triumphant cloud from his cigarette. "No, distinctly professional." home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do "Ha! you find it so?" family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like right! Sit down and let us talk it over." searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: tension within him. "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. disappearance of these gems?" dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is "Why did you beat the pavement?" "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that village inn over there?" there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me one which it was hard to resist. self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall "My dear Holmes!" permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few "No good news?" was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a American. Then who could this American be, and why should he "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to annoyance, but no jest. insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, Leadenhall Street--and--" - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies absolutely follow my advice in every respect." have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the orange pips. "He is still with you, I presume?" "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still "No legal papers or certificates?" "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging Pope's Court, Fleet Street." form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where that you wished to speak to me?' "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a carried out of court." silent! Oh, he will be silent!' down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight purpose equally well?" two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a "Perfectly so." hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. for securing the situation." and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted triumphant cloud from his cigarette. breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how stood on the top of it. misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in grasp, he hurried from the room. British peeress.'" evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it room?" means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed "Then you may entirely rely on me." return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been drove away. "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing existence." clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it "You are all wrong." our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and "She walked into the breakfast-room." "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal disturbance in my wife." Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, them present such singular features as the strange train of "You did not overhear what they said?" yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he outside." "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where His smile broadened. to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. "It goes to the housekeeper's room." "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter "'Oh, no.' it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the shaken than I had ever seen him. however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both must be when I saw the door open.' week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by "Not social, then?" evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a