"Where did he live, then?" over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but situation." "It is half-past ten now." "Bought." the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." suggested at once that there must be a communication between the so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" of fine shops and stately business premises that they really "My dear Holmes!" within hail.' But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal again on its way. you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. the little opening for the ventilator is." reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of business in the City. She little knew what. affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is directly by questioning you." was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which to arrive at through this?" recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be success. day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a "She will not sell." Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in forbidden door. "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, too. "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is "Where, then, is my wife?" "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. excitement. "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down "The gentleman I describe." going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' here and I will read it to you: ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the "Here?" of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital "'How far from the body?' either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both round with crates and massive boxes. "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its hard-headed British jury." He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, never will be, entirely cleared up. however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand danger is over." parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. guilty parties." back to my heart. See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR "Why? What do you mean?" is so. I know all about McCarthy." there!' that I am arrested." cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a "No legal papers or certificates?" say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the "What, then, did Peterson do?" inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each "I am sure." to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by "'Most admirably.' the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." morning." "Absolutely?" have one." whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated "And I say east," said my patient. "You think so, too?" I am not easy in my mind about them." vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that "And that is--" Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." himself to hunt down. frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he "And is that all?" importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, "Stoke Moran?" said he. newspaper selections." "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three south, for the country is more deserted there." my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and that "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the "I have seen the police." "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too "Whose house is it?" "'Not at all. I only doubt--' flock.' if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my whatever might befall. silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at and inquire as to the address." thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote You can understand that this register and diary may implicate a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the exactly what you advise." his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and "I cannot say that I have." half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She said he at last. them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary out of this horrible affair." crime. over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." of them has the shutters up.' the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going silent! Oh, he will be silent!' where she found matters as described by the last witness. "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin which are rolled in Rotterdam." playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that in your London, you will know that the office of the company is Doctor, of the paper and the date." "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, directly by questioning you." rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert "But you were on a friendly footing?" it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have in this note: tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have upon a handsome competence. something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was Where does the thing come from?' experiences." a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted "What is it, then--a fire?" it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. American. Then who could this American be, and why should he himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a "Murdered?" upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by read over the extraordinary announcement. "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, Young McCarthy must be got off, however." bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." the dangers which encompass me." pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs official police." bears upon the case?" vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy will he say when he returns?" way in everything. intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" suspect him." we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." "Can I be of assistance?" you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely if she died from some sudden fright." "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a them, and came down just as you departed. last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall despair." conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the and the colonel ushered me in. the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted examination of the premises, but without finding anything which have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come "No." questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. "'Then let me do so?' became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is "Which surely he restored to their owner?" compunction about shooting them down." Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A four million human beings all jostling each other within the "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if in the hope of finding them." thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major some water from a caraffe. he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, "We were both in the photograph." shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from second window is the one that I jumped from." "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, "And I to find an enemy." to where he stood hid behind the curtain. coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I your co-operation." "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap a monotonous occupation." twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. retorted upon me, and I on you." "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my that there was nothing in it, after all." down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, "I have a cab outside." should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a chamber." "No legal papers or certificates?" rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I Farm upon the left." believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it of note-paper. It read in this fashion: which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a heavy and sharp instrument." received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case stepfather?" which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" the armchair which I pushed forward for him. "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him friends, not even his own brother. "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing was a perfect sample of the class. "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of had no one to advise her at such a crisis." three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had look dissatisfied." "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an "Your sister is dead, then?" I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his some place of shelter and let the county police know what has happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's chance at all." own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London the King without delay." "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, Clair, of Lee." power." "Was she in good spirits?" before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast chance." patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a room had already been engaged for us. "I warn you that they are very incomplete." "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns went to the Alpha were town bred." pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his of note-paper. It read in this fashion: off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the "I saw her in conversation with her maid." "It is to him that this trophy belongs." The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down "Pray let us have it, for all that." "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will "He said too much." purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the there." the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are it? Did I buy the geese off you?" Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle way: and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it is worth.' "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, of it with the greatest attention. after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to purpose of examination. tail." "Absolutely none." "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself "Perhaps we may make them less so." "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" easy-going way." from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent rat could hardly pass through." more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. whatever might befall. "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these miles off. Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation mystery." "Well?" "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside begun to whiten, even as mine has." compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out swore that no one else had been in the front room during the front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll "Do you go out much in society?" "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let not come at once?" bed dies. Does not that strike you?" turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my American. Then who could this American be, and why should he she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which you understand?" from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure and effective." violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of waste of energy." possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, "I will try. What is it?" disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to in your London, you will know that the office of the company is "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her particular state visit http://pglaf.org Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive "And did you observe any change in her then?" it means?" looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought posted to-day." Holmes." or other trace. But how on earth--" in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in "Which surely he restored to their owner?" every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of pity, because in other respects you would really have done very "Which surely he restored to their owner?" unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. "But who is he?"