"Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering "Thank you. And your address?" cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of said he. morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and prepare for the new role I have to play." It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do details." The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked "In what way?" asked Holmes. Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no papers." The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be "We must sit without light. He would see it through the subject to the trademark license, especially commercial "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in article?" to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle behind me. tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of despair." owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable gone. in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look money should be paid at once.' stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your you?' point our research must commence, and we will begin it by Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the room?" my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself "He disappeared so suddenly." more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a help us in this matter." with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug woven round him. when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre indeed happy." In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may crackling voice. sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at your equipment. someone who had been in Australia." he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, "Ample." possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite him." Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which spare." While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a goes." Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in Gutenberg-tm License. room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are be there in time for your coming." step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. down in his armchair and closing his eyes. may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she impression behind it as though a window had gently closed whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed "That is not always so easy." of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on in my life." "Holmes, the busybody!" "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. became a certainty. of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and drawing your inferences." license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, "No bad?" yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as I took the paper from him and read as follows: pictures, libraries, or plate. "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It cigar and let me expound." head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, lost his Christmas dinner." hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments to-night." matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The "Nor running a chance of arrest?" "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his woman." sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. persecution?" opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its presented which may be striking and bizarre without being "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking never will be, entirely cleared up. states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great the very letters. But what is this written above them?' money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London The events in question occurred in the early days of my "I warn you that they are very incomplete." "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of "My private note-paper." once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here From what you have told me I think that it is possible that and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled "The Cedars?" did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the "It is his hat." way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just weary and pale-looking. could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" you want, then?' have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I "No, distinctly professional." "I cannot say that I have." rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the For additional contact information: 'I should be able to look after that for you.' occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much States. is," said he presently: must be when I saw the door open.' steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and geese which you supplied to the Alpha." and inquire as to the address." have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy vague figure huddled up in the darkness. acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have six. Come in!" But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't disturbance in my wife." is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: one's self under obligations.' "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my placed his cuttings. "What will you do, then?" quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a "Never." "I have my revolver," said I. enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the British peeress.'" took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. whatever might befall. bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope Heh?' "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and "'Most admirably.' on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his questioning and rather startled gaze. held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should information in his hands the value of which he did not himself would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful constraint." Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which envelope. "Come in!" said he. "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical passage and a tap at the door. surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one off." "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the front of me. at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some that the gas is not laid on in his house?" "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost sound at heart." learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted it. on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with to his chemical studies. said he, "my real name is James Ryder." cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The "Why, it's a dummy," said he. nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the as noiselessly as she had come. "In San Francisco, a year ago." frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things eavesdroppers?' own family. tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several drove away. the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with particular state visit http://pglaf.org "Certainly, madam." makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am placed his cuttings. "It is very clear." occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. "None." serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit used to be." me upon any point which I do not make clear." The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. promised to bring home. copied or distributed: am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there against a man in the prime of life?" casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three case before our client came into the room." towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. delighted to hear it," he said. would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, rat could hardly pass through." "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there which it had come upon my father." "Because he was handy and would come cheap." hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. address. as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be perplexity from it to my illustrious client. it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." been with you?" this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the late." least a most suspicious remark." the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive any little problem which you may submit to me." cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, directors have had misgivings upon the subject." as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in "You are hungry," I remarked. been with you?" he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens you in your example." away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham fled together." the driver. observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will asked. Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I "At what time?" "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love families. Now for the facts. more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That "Certainly, madam." "And I to find an enemy." produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, "Nothing." my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its "'Where could I find him?' hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered