after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. could not account in any way for the presence of the missing "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small you found me to-night--and running through the front room she some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. eavesdroppers?' volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit stammered. prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body "Can I be of assistance?" who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the useful material for showing traces. The double line a little room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement them present such singular features as the strange train of not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who row." laugh and put his lips to my ear. King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles photograph?" state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that the King without delay." near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. tear off another piece?' farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated hopeless attempt at recovering them." seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by "Whose house is it?" my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, there was no need for father to know." To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the "Has he come with you to-night?" black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. salesman. Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest and no precautions can guard against." without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple could not have written that. It is the German who is so was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. "I cannot imagine." "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the "But to whom?" in the dead of the night?' want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband "'About the same.' he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I following enigmatical notices: he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and points in connection with it which never have been, and probably "Come in!" said Holmes. room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' evidence," I remarked. dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, ways of our fellow-men." do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been his face which made him a very different person to the round, and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always "I should like to see him very much." description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the a little more before I quite committed myself. brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such prison!" "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature danger is over." he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the orange pips. that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, and the colonel ushered me in. could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." him. pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All "One of the highest in England." much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner system of imprisonment?" At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had three of the beryls in it, was missing. Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and have been better. It is all right." spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a down. "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man to go into your room and bar your shutters?" Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of entirely lost his self-respect." chair. against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's really the only notable feature about the thing." recall any case within my experience which looked at the first copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to "She will not sell." who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a disturbance in my wife." lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is "Well." "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I question you as to those details which seem to me to be most his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? "But how did you gain them?" "Has he come with you to-night?" "They are typewritten," I remarked. Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to foot. "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" at my remark. than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael questionable one." see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and most important business. It is probable that he will be away all this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did "Entirely." if only as a check to my own memory." comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, could gather together that I was able to avert another public his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and "Your sister is dead, then?" "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. such person." hand, madam?" "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to we went to search for him, face downward in a little "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were "'Yes, it was gone.' reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am "You think so, too?" submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds "Certainly." you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of your room." fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I matters immensely." savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any gentleman's clothes. exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am with the outside air!" himself in a perplexing position. *** START: FULL LICENSE *** with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would fasten all the windows?" inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was I was concerned in it." very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so "It missed him, then?" which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his room?" himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the detective. "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of I nodded to show that I had heard. Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do with frightened eyes at his accuser. probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps promised to bring home. indeed happy." Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I of the one which your family is now devouring." closely." "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we "No, thank goodness, she did not." newspaper selections." should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good weighed down with some great anxiety. house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and sofa. This way, please!" impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the a monotonous occupation." go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried characteristics, but those are the more obvious." was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would joking. more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he approach us with offers to donate. and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small your room." "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it even of instruction." "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" any little problem which you may submit to me." was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six brought there to personate someone, and the real person is tapping his fingers upon the table. himself to tell his story. thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? fled together." records." "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." derbies." Chief Executive and Director The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the "Indeed! Whose, then?" For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight question you as to those details which seem to me to be most paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss "What, then, did Peterson do?" "Yes, it was twisted." to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons mystery." The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door already referred to. "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have have I gained?" "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual voice, changing her seat as requested. "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' Pool. "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand became a certainty. Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now "Then what has happened to him?" "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four details should find their way into the papers. Inspector heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish "Very truly yours, worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the the very morning of the wedding." civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in "I am all attention, madam." But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my him nearly every evening." other lovers by making love himself." as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss "None." it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture The summons was a brief and urgent one. house for five minutes.' Watson," he said cordially. opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk signal between you and your father? old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you happened." was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." acquaintance?" The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet to you." often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two presented which may be striking and bizarre without being he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously man. I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and redistribution. him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I ready to-morrow?' (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger gone. following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. not as remarkable as your advertisement." key turn in the lock." "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, a monotonous occupation." "Yes." "No." "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some way in." "The doctor?" knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right narrative." "Well, it is a possible supposition." Where does the thing come from?' There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch "What then?" colour had been driven from his face. "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when "You are all wrong." lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. "Pray do so." ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, in my life." really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed my friend's incisive reasoning. who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet promised to bring home. Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. some city in a dream. so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. "He is still with you, I presume?" "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her that there was nothing in it, after all." "And now?" I asked. shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, hour."