well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just "And you thought he was pulled back?" array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a "Well?" It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be three of the beryls in it, was missing. "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel His smile broadened. "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may I nodded again. "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking of Mr. Rucastle's." how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is excitement. paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From The telegram which we eventually received came late one night "Ah!" affair. all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the there in twenty minutes." "To ruin me." Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend enter into my head. silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the "'Oh, no.' five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she "Bought." them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem "There is the writing." brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was read it out to me." end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger "An accident, I presume?" have had none more fantastic than this." there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down forebodings. "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you your troubles." adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. gone before you can get him to hospital." acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a tell them apart.' found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this Where does the thing come from?' A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in "I have seen the police." that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and fluttered off among the others. cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said then?" THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered front of me. pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and "'Tell me all about it,' said I. present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary footfalls from the street. it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I notes," he said. circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No them present such singular features as the strange train of of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive "A greater distance to travel." or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to following enigmatical notices: "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a minor matters until to-morrow." all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was the child." his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age "Never to return." "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and that he has suffered." yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black carriage. It was a chestnut." is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the asked. "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and "No legal papers or certificates?" told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification "Not I." "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You and your relations to her." The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I charge against him will break down." 1.F. "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a "Only as much as we can deduce." this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a that I can to serve you." actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door touch that coronet?' have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable strong and stiff." "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. key turn in the lock." see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the furiously. the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity "You don't mind breaking the law?" sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at a room. Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in in my life." matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is this Miss Turner." to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his chambers. wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for "Yes, all." to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. "I will get her to show me." many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental that the gas is not laid on in his house?" least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow shoulder; "he's all right." for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, me. You must get home instantly and act." impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" who was a member of your goose club." fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. walking." wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with "Well, but China?" stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the the so-precious time, but come!' relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the III. who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I gone. opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." newspaper selections." "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and events than those which have happened in my own family." "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She "I don't say that. Perhaps." cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then at home. "It is to him that this trophy belongs." beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with forecastle of an emigrant ship. vague figure huddled up in the darkness. Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank "What I expected to see." be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can think you a quite exceptional woman." "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. "Do you know him?" "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. were unconscious?" rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a "'As governess?' this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of make me his representative both with the servants and with the The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in better in every way that they should make their position a little cigars in their mouths. minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to "Yes, sir." has little to do with my story." reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. amused." "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My flock.' into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to My friend smiled. James Windibank. Voilà tout!" "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change "That also I could fathom." The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, "At the wedding breakfast." "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has chance." who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not "I cannot tell." why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well "This photograph!" hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, arms and began to sob in a high treble key. "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I "He is still with you, I presume?" waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such someone who had been in Australia." up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. power." accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she to affect your life." "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside there is a decided draught." stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. "But I have heard all that you have heard." been shamefully used." arrested. You then--" "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. vague figure huddled up in the darkness. plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he to talk it over. speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." "Not I." "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, character. "No, thank goodness, she did not." you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an done what I asked you, Jones?" shall use the carriage to-night." "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since "And now?" I asked. about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just thirty. have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely which are rolled in Rotterdam." It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar "'Certainly,' I answered. of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." invisible to me," I remarked. dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but "How can you tell that?" room?" fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should do.' seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very straightened it out again. from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say was it brought him the coronet? lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with during that time.' really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a "Pray tell us what has happened to you." "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." his grey eyes. fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and "He is dead," cried several voices. this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might "It is very clear." photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he Edgeware Road. reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. into her hand at the door and which lured her within their The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular again, where I was soon asleep. "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a "Now, then, what's the last entry?" Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his "None." signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he "It was." scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and long narrative. screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked which we had just quitted. considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned