the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included have been better. It is all right." mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was "Where is it, then?" may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it "Absolutely none." thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. opportunities to fix the problem. "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so wedding?" "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the "It's nothing of the kind." "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion weigh very heavily upon my conscience." prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching heavily into it. his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close business." "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, crime. which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not his face. the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the "The vanishing of the lady." "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor drawing your inferences." "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post "I don't believe it." whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had impression behind it as though a window had gently closed right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked one's self under obligations.' astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his all-comprehensive glances. garden below. surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to "And help." "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he that before taking the final step I should like to submit the did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at society." "One of his hands." "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. "Thank you. And your address?" closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution situation." he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am matter over." "No, my brougham is waiting." earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a thin, with a long, sharp nose?" uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary learned something! Where are the gems?" and a shock of very red hair. give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged "You are all wrong." "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an Mary, has deserted me." John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." Project Gutenberg-tm works. several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into closing the door. him to go away.' vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, "9th. McCauley cleared. eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken interested in these little problems, and since you are good resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began matter." at my remark. During two years I have had three consultations and one small said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I "Texas, I think." immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly "None." suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the wedding?" feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery enough to aid us in our search." have been better. It is all right." was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging outside. a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. "That is easily got." was a loud and authoritative tap. "You have compromised yourself seriously." There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle have I gained?" main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock round with crates and massive boxes. vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in "'Never,' said I. "And did you observe any change in her then?" have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully "A confidential servant?" layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at was a loud and authoritative tap. very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." "Never." "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I which we had just quitted. LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest on re-entering her father's house?" "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in asked. day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." "It is a murder, then?" To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal "'There is a drive, then?' events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his less than 26s. 4d. and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had upon the sideboard." "His face fell immediately. They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot married her." evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed "I am armed." and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I must compliment you." initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped on re-entering her father's house?" written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a question you as to those details which seem to me to be most of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but "You don't mind breaking the law?" "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, ashen face. either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the to-night's adventure." which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the "When did she vanish, then?" "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' the iron safe, which he closed upon it. figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of possible that we could bring him back to her? anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news "Of what day?" a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be right! Sit down and let us talk it over." have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition society." turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were "I cannot as yet see any connection." doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. about here speaks of his kindness to him." shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be "How long did she speak to this Alice?" since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to "BALLARAT." he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project strength of mind to control. turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried asked. clanging. "But the mystery?" from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the approach us with offers to donate. But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my easy-going way." feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been feature." the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my writing, and yet I know it well." "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would imbecility!" he cried. "Entirely." the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of were wasted." the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he arms and began to sob in a high treble key. "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" be best to do. will be renamed. away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have hurried away. delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and call for it in person on Monday morning.' matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now hour?' "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. "The gentleman I describe." you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged see a sister of mine apply for." what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of affection." help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted "To an English lawyer named Norton." buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what when your master had gone out." reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would know all about it," he snarled. younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. "The decline of his fortunes, then?" compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, "How did that help you?" too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness "That is possible." you found me to-night--and running through the front room she works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the "Thank you. And your address?" we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a "No, thank goodness, she did not." address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I nothing of it?" "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight "Who was the criminal, then?" "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight that you can jump it.' "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, "And on what day did he meet his death?" be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want been lifted and conveyed somewhere." consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come drawing your inferences." "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of likely to be some crony of the landlady's." said he. dead, shall be safe with us." that before taking the final step I should like to submit the "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at "Yes." the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. "Very truly yours, Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to "You will not go there first?" "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come peculiar to him. forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy her also." family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There that you can jump it.' "From his hat?" place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the bears upon the case?" "No. His orders were to stay in the house." But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf was feeling which was the fattest.' upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I if she died from some sudden fright." "Very. But will he see it?" it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's Cross for the Continent." how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. "Well, it is a possible supposition." "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture "Come in!" said Holmes. "You have the photograph?" too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to "Awake, Watson?" he asked. "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I "Get out!" said he. "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was "And now?" I asked. your most interesting statement." and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." Where does the thing come from?' Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so where we are going." hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** country, and eventually married, without anyone having a dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded have been better. It is all right." the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, "ARAT," I read. compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a