he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the definite end. little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is unkempt, staring out at me. had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too I nodded to show that I had heard. is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" o'clock is it?" sentimental considerations in the background which would induce "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought "'I have heard so.' is now desirous of getting those letters back." long narrative. can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. "Which surely he restored to their owner?" "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon round with crates and massive boxes. him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were "I have solved it." snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, "In the cells." so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, the matter." "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and things are very often connected not with the larger but with the at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her "No bad?" crime." "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest telegram would bring me down to your help." collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of opportunities to fix the problem. wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." sound at heart." "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine leave you to your papers for a little." from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across purpose of examination. disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of McCarthy." houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the been with you?" ready to-morrow?' "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said have an American origin." the south-west, I see." ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your other lovers by making love himself." public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to "'And the work?' mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project "The gentleman I describe." really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others of receipt of the work. was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from ventilator." France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his "I was certainly surprised to find you there." "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I vault. me, and I could not think that his explanation of the a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood returned to France?" brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." "What of the rat, then?" many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut Surrey." The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not DAMAGE. the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is now. It seems that there had been some informality about their charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? late." homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the guilty parties." he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at out." two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal people in all walks of life. observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. take the flies, but not before." never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty have got?" last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I and shall probably return to London by the evening train." clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the "That was it, sir." photograph?" dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until "By no means." Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. come either from the window or the door. My attention was an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in "What! You do not mean bodies?" smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange "Breckinridge is his name." glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." said he. short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them it right.' stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the "And why?" and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong "Quite so." threw himself down with his face to the pillow. door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and I have it here in my museum." boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where empty. glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the "How are you getting on?" "Entirely." the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position "Certainly." parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. note?" "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking "Oh, fresh and glossy." dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly shoulder; "he's all right." which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve My friend smiled. "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from success. the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them rooms." probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building any more." Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you "You have a clue?" He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. ceremony." the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it "On your arm?" know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking once more. d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his are, I think, all that we need." "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest "She will not sell." down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is "I shall most certainly do so." said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the "You know me, then?" Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at outbreak?" considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the call it cruel." Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of "'Yes, it was gone.' "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" definite end. arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so not come at once?" "And the cigar-holder?" favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy way in." "We were both in the photograph." you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." clang of the bell. aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether hard-headed British jury." overpowering excitement and concern. down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents do you make of it all?" "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. burst out into a roar of laughter. "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a "Quite so." her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as "And how did he make his money?" cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and "No, distinctly professional." States. my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look have established a very serious case against the son of the INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. and no precautions can guard against." "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases hour." "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as future lives." village inn over there?" but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered we went to search for him, face downward in a little her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. to his chemical studies. "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the tell him that I know him to be innocent." and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I "You were travelling in the States?" was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. "Where did you address your letters, then?" the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." place of silver." said I. "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he "Then I am your man." Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in this unhappy family?" astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City had formerly been in part my own. after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the was not a bird to be seen there. "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be "If so, much may have happened between." halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, already referred to. eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, them?" to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. From what you have told me I think that it is possible that access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were system of imprisonment?" turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my The police have openly confessed that they can at present make Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took "Yes." It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a "I see many objections to any such theory." figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey "It surprised me." brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael "Have you her photograph?" confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I fire. You quite follow me?" assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had me. You must get home instantly and act." late." "Texas, I think." widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad I nodded to show that I had heard. one else, I think." and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. returning from some small jollification and was making his way "None." his wife has ceased to love him." exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom "That's no good." cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you American. Then who could this American be, and why should he I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. "I am still in the dark." "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, "How did you trace it, then?" full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a James Windibank. Voilà tout!" He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. along the entire front of the house, with three long windows a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. frequently gained my first real insight into the character of only touch the interest." "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in go from here to the Strand." my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be unprecedented a position." electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean "When did she vanish, then?" Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent fire. You quite follow me?" "Yes, sir." they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the light and attacked it." as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of the nursery. "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" and capable of preserving a secret.' ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a child?' the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. from you?" "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and asked with his eyes open. upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the Holmes rather sternly. and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds.