any more." "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still fashion which was peculiar to him. business?" criminal. We have already had experience of such." could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very me what he had done with the three missing stones. test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, definite end. his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper "Your sister is dead, then?" Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the "I was sure that I might rely on you." in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would you do it in twenty minutes!' me upon any point which I do not make clear." "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was it with his own hands." platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship be. chance." tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon breakfast and whispered something to her husband. in the hope of finding them." peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire The King stared at him in amazement. chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which "Yes, sir." she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we figure." Countess of Morcar's?" "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough 'please.'" at my own good fortune. lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he "But of what society?" 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened heavy and sharp instrument." A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, "No, thank goodness, she did not." cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock "Quite so." will find little credit to be gained out of this case." strength." "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I "Where, then?" age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and enter into my head. "I should like to see him very much." "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, against a man in the prime of life?" Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning back into the street. He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute read it out to me." "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to to have that photograph." "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come "No good news?" it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am them?" have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I we went to search for him, face downward in a little of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, head. So long, then!" are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project of note-paper. It read in this fashion: desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." business at Coburg Square is serious." whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your envelope. Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 congenial hunt. Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of "May I see it?" arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven coat-tails." had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss "And I say east," said my patient. left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and "I should like to see him very much." struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself gone. 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little photograph?" "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done away into the river." examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the at once, for I have only half an hour." exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, cost them two and thirty pounds." downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices redistribution. entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out Eyford at 11:15.' will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon fact, we may call it conclusive." and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she "I have come for advice." "I cannot as yet see any connection." frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit "Indeed! Whose, then?" But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in "And it is--" "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very "I am about to be married." my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are already been minutely examined." "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, seven miles from Eyford Station.' young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, outside. "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as "Pray be precise as to details," said he. "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake geese which you supplied to the Alpha." backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had one of them." "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that in a friendly supper." could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this "'It is locked up,' I answered. With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had simple cases which are so extremely difficult." high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp Lee, in the county of Kent." "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a and the church but not where the lady lived." possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in in a friendly supper." of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make "Yes?" serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the chamber." complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful pierced for earrings?" "Was the window open?" Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. shag which I had seen upon the previous night. "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were are windows in it, of course?" coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny weigh very heavily upon my conscience." age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. "Yes." has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in it with his own hands." "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was points in connection with it which never have been, and probably of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at front of me. in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must "'Certainly not. But why?' she used." very old mansion. relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some the south-west, I see." the nursery. central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an and put his glass in his pocket. that he will be back before evening." "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined stalked out of the room. problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. thought that she would have been so carried away." "Certainly." door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, some city in a dream. Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door take the flies, but not before." black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him to surprise her." "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It upon a handsome competence. graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." beg that you will break it off." tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and trying to your nerves." was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed troubles have been weighing upon his mind. "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, "Nothing?" my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the "Where, then, is my wife?" way in everything. the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other "Yes." that then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I "I will get her to show me." I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from is," said he presently: aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid floor. recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our page at http://pglaf.org brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of fact, we may call it conclusive." respectable self." McCarthy's innocence. "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause intrusion of other matters." assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year "He is dead," cried several voices. careless servant girl?" "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a have been better. It is all right." had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt everything which you would wish to know." usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But me, and I could not think that his explanation of the bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like "No?" tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said "Which surely he restored to their owner?" to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his guilty parties." dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle "'Tell me all about it,' said I. "What, then?" money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my "No, distinctly professional." the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old "Not in a good cause." appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the in the dead of the night?' brain must have something in it." any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. weapon." I held the little printed slip to the light. assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of writers could invent nothing more crude." 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is "You are hungry," I remarked. "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner gives a meaning to it." a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble "I will not look." "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the and inquire as to the address." concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a laugh and put his lips to my ear. face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He overpowering excitement and concern. on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium think that any burglar could have done. the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands murdered man." "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and shag which I had seen upon the previous night. "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending at my own good fortune. the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the silent! Oh, he will be silent!' I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this "Do you know him?" into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his hour." not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he "Come in!" said he. son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be "Never." "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by depend upon your compliance." "You heard nothing yourself last night?" TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? thin legs towards the fire. loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young for securing the situation." on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home "I will try. What is it?" it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who