whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her and laid it on the table. has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her generous with you in money matters.' The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder without success. At last the little money which I had saved began I. "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than meant it for the best. an introduction to him?" and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go points to suicide?" change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham little trying to do so much typewriting?" may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from look dissatisfied." case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs II. "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help there were one or two details which were new to me. But the and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know "So it appears." "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I "Did you become engaged then?" "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs "And now?" He raised his hand. "And what did you learn from him?" who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and "Yes, I have one waiting." that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck "But you can know nothing of this?" very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were miles off. out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper made him keep the appointment." suggested at once that there must be a communication between the "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You go back?" at once, for I have only half an hour." too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light Have you good authority for what you say?" have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say Leadenhall Street--and--" zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I "This photograph!" pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back it." us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this "The decline of his fortunes, then?" Arthur Conan Doyle was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and him nearly every evening." answered with a sidelong glance. "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened "I beg pardon." disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred do." handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at it means?" office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and you?' at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have breakfast and whispered something to her husband. horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I wanted for ourselves." which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made man. I know him from the photograph." "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to husband's writing, madam." with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great as he folded up the epistle. Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue woven round him. "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he "From his hat?" flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, "Game for a morning drive?" "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul unclasping of his long thin hands. "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. fact, we may call it conclusive." you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, it right.' occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." in him." the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of his grey eyes. "This concluded the examination of the witness." danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in even so self-evident a thing as that." either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled gentleman's clothes. useful material for showing traces. The double line a little my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their "And what did you learn from him?" grasp, he hurried from the room. frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said tension within him. attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. problems help me to do so." "Then, as to money?" "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn "'Yes.' "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how "Then he might have called to you?" Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the existence." "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she "From his hat?" expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you "In answer to an advertisement." "I was mad--insane." "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his "If so, much may have happened between." the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I "The rest you will leave in our hands." be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank "Yes." "And the murderer?" she used." she to prove their authenticity?" wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed "I was mad--insane." delirious. with her." active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have what is your own theory as to what took place?" shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is begun to whiten, even as mine has." gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a to-night?" I asked. observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy unkempt, staring out at me. it. you came in." "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself straighten it?" Clair, of Lee." the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day "Just look it up, then." row." at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I me what he had done with the three missing stones. "Certainly." "At the wedding breakfast." the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a advice." zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, "'I shall certainly be there.' Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely again, where I was soon asleep. side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted "'Is 4 pounds a week.' and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic me." "Then I am your man." "'How far from the body?' his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. "It is solved." "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am outbreak?" and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my vanished into the darkness. go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual a very grave face. to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. when your master had gone out." "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I "I fear not." and glanced through. common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business child?' "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." take the flies, but not before." "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black "His face fell immediately. Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I made his money." and your relations to her." not personally threatened." recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped "By train from Waterloo." skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" correct than the official force." posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man "And why?" but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the papers on the sundial.'" Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates "There is the writing." vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced said I. flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and "No?" people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not "Tired-looking or fresh?" feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. Arthur Conan Doyle agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body "But you were on a friendly footing?" "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of "What do you make of that, Watson?" thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. *** START: FULL LICENSE *** assist you in forming an opinion." "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk breakfast?" have one." events than those which have happened in my own family." the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" "Perfectly so." footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus considering the formidable letters which were received by himself in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the read it out to me." side. at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to young Openshaw's." this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "Yes, only one." wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the "That is also quite modern," said the lady. himself to hunt down. side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that made him keep the appointment." later, upon the night of May 2nd." many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the these bleak autumnal evenings." next day. goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross about here speaks of his kindness to him." claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My "What is it?" "By train from Waterloo." to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old writers could invent nothing more crude." force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as "What will you do, then?" when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the retorted upon me, and I on you." "Very truly yours, to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised cigars in the box." probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured as this. Pray let me have the details." "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover IS pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the and shall probably return to London by the evening train." smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case better grown goose." "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the or in danger--" from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. "Then I am your man." three fields round his house, and there he would take his "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a to miss it." going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into that, and I came down." Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the Pool. shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn."