refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would James Windibank. Voilà tout!" way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." the driver. "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when have an American origin." once more. Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his delirious. noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' digesting their breakfasts at home." hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with strength in the others." aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. carpenter." should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from "I say it is." the tragedy. hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a is," said he presently: "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. in. this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a anything to do with the matter?" think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may "She walked into the breakfast-room." figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran "'Ample.' "How did he come?" "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. never will be, entirely cleared up. forehead. which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they likely to be some crony of the landlady's." and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the DAMAGE. saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it friend's singular character. her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have "Were they all fastened this morning?" you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, the inner apartment." c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what himself to tell his story. "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said words came to my lips. in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were will take you up to see the machine.' threw himself down with his face to the pillow. "No sign of it?" what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the to tackle the facts." dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should your billet.' envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard you." Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, that there was nothing in it, after all." just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry "Oh, the cause is excellent!" "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master maiden herself was most instructive." have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, into the room. evidence," I remarked. stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent him to go away.' been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across than was visible to me." I. judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I secret." across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on danger is over." excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his "One of the highest in England." We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." purpose equally well?" prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was row." description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a now. It seems that there had been some informality about their "Eh? What was that?" Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the redistribution. keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own McCarthy's innocence. insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of "I cannot tell." usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings gentleman's clothes. bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought "And now?" He raised his hand. My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the "I am armed." "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to enter into my head. of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his absorbing." "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, have established a very serious case against the son of the done what I asked you, Jones?" girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of "Yes, that is the Crown." very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers business at Coburg Square is serious." and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that "This photograph!" Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible could not account in any way for the presence of the missing "My Mary? Impossible!" it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands the devil!" happened." doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing fire. You quite follow me?" stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry "And how did you verify them?" done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present bed dies. Does not that strike you?" scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up even of instruction." that he will be back before evening." "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but "My dear Holmes!" take the flies, but not before." brain must have something in it." said I. with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my and glanced through. From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, she slowly sank and died without having recovered her Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a "Pray let us have it, for all that." "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming the best of training." who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush events than those which have happened in my own family." and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would "That was it, sir." while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which arrested. You then--" the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no "Then, as to money?" to miss it." settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you manager. "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite woven round him. surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of she has been waylaid. There has been no result." my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an had formerly been in part my own. "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in them present such singular features as the strange train of feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we Lee, in the county of Kent." "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, followed. straightened it out again. long narrative. coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the Again Holmes raved in the air. and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had "Did you become engaged then?" understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an became a certainty. conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. "It was an hour's good drive." also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to "Yes, it was twisted." never came back." to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest "I am still in the dark." "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. the matter?" that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of in the port of London." the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he "That sounds a little paradoxical." a monotonous occupation." permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" of them has the shutters up.' It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late "I fear not." think that any burglar could have done. his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was it. This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the their singular warning or token before them when starting upon dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' recall any case within my experience which looked at the first open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey see a sister of mine apply for." the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room "Pray do so." built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock Doctor, of the paper and the date." "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never upon an income of about 60 pounds." "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at I have it here in my museum." "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. cause to be." madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as both be extremely obliged.' the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your you came in." anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home chair. graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry "Thank you. Pray proceed." electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days thin legs towards the fire. brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. "'Yes, sir.' the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might "So I am. Very much so." "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, obstinate." bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. delighted to hear it," he said. considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached future lives." "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am sparkled upon his finger. observed. breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the "It certainly sounds feasible." way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see be. "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to taking in every detail of the apartment. repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his "Nothing." dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. away in different directions, and I went off to make my own scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little