unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any detained." arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and records." threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my purpose of examination. carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, "'Yes, sir.' conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly late." "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." into her hand at the door and which lured her within their present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" placed his cuttings. could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the It may be so in this case, also." yourselves in at night?" "No." ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner I shall communicate with you." more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have "Nothing?" The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good call for protection in the marriage market, for the present impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to not personally threatened." butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. "'What would be the hours?' I asked. "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than girl said." and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and examination of the premises, but without finding anything which He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I row." explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who "This photograph!" a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my Farm upon the left." company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not "What of the rat, then?" better in every way that they should make their position a little the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you kind enough to tell me what I should do." of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and "No." produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, in this way: should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled Holmes rather sternly. absorbing." days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be "But not more so than I to find you." business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should now. It seems that there had been some informality about their grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn them, and came down just as you departed. refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella use an arc-and-compass breastpin." into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another skylight. listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter writing, and yet I know it well." can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent 'please.'" of a light. quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my footfalls from the street. how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told think that he is innocent?" very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my the nursery. all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if him. window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will "'No, I know no one in these parts.' "'Certainly not.' invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by it." corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the The King stared at him in amazement. by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and "But you were on a friendly footing?" understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and "But what harm can there be in that?" hurried away. hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming "Yes, it was twisted." the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the "I have seen the police." and glanced through. Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a "Ha! you find it so?" he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, "Proceed, then." what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special most interesting one." I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered possible that we could bring him back to her? copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." the iron safe, which he closed upon it. Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a with you?" forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a opportunities to fix the problem. to you." "I should wish to." already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the business at Coburg Square is serious." I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your "Yes, from Horsham." "He said too much." I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and photograph?" lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this a good hundred miles off by now." "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you Project Gutenberg-tm works. "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his to surprise her." the bottom.' "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual "And now?" He raised his hand. crowd. this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching his face. "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. Clair, of Lee." "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to brandy and water within his reach. had this final quarrel? "'You cannot say what it was?' of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a more terrible than the truth. confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away "No legal papers or certificates?" "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly note?" Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The London for the present?" doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is "Frequently." inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His people in all walks of life. it." back into the street. answer." to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about who was a member of your goose club." stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. death." in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, "One horse?" interjected Holmes. it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the "But not more so than I to find you." people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination the address that was given us in the advertisement. "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow notes," he said. may never be exposed to such a temptation." "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some Leave Paddington by the 11:15." questionable one." your co-operation." been deceived." the running down." however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." investigation." and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee "And who is her maid?" Watson," he said cordially. the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the neither fascinating nor artistic." quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most system of imprisonment?" read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have http://gutenberg.net/license). Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." that there was nothing in it, after all." ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not awkward doing business with an alias." "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the some city in a dream. my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a "He slept on the premises." hour?' forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of where she found matters as described by the last witness. "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and place, I think that there is good ground to think that the "I fear not." Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of newspaper selections." standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side me upon any point which I do not make clear." towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of "That also I could fathom." you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had "Is he quiet?" experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That persecution?" 1.E.9. It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the His name is Francis Prosper." home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a were unconscious?" "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small undoubtedly my uncle's." "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the as the one I chose?' chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the I shall communicate with you." scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but "I cannot tell." "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much skylight. reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am "But it has twice been burgled." I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who became a certainty. his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland "No, I think that I'll take it." point in the dark hollow of his hand. I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. "Is he quiet?" and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to "No." very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was the roots. "Then you may entirely rely on me." eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime cost them two and thirty pounds." perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. "No sign of it?" Again Holmes raved in the air. "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he infinite languor in his face. it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were hopeless attempt at recovering them." "I cannot imagine." Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting and the church but not where the lady lived." "'Never.' parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child in him." money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in will he say when he returns?" card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I "What I expected to see." The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." details should find their way into the papers. Inspector unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a "The murder was done with it." upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I business?" When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He the Assizes." other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to and shall probably return to London by the evening train." in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid had died away into the silence from which it rose. copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you "'And what salary do you ask?' "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He soul! here is her carriage at the door." her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. went to the Alpha were town bred." line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." your sleep?' strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining and inquire as to the address." what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord.