adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! "ARAT," I read. about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots success. which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. within hail.' "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. the ceiling. for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a more solid." girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would carpenter." what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. plantation.' "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his "'About the same.' maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of "'Is purely nominal.' ways of our fellow-men." opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his "On the contrary, this is the right side." "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with of Mr. Rucastle's." "I cannot tell." should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just awkward doing business with an alias." the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present and wait." firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that "How long did she speak to this Alice?" snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them I shall communicate with you." particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are presented more singular features than that which was associated stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the business at Coburg Square is serious." pity, because in other respects you would really have done very direction." "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, own family. Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at help us in this matter." wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it she has been waylaid. There has been no result." Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, be. "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." it." before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in know that the truth is known." refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight "But you would not advise me to refuse?" sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are "'Then let me do so?' wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in call you and give you the chance." will take you up to see the machine.' this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean records." "Was he the only applicant?" which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that "An enemy?" ordinary clothes on?" "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the "There is the writing." "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his crime. the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has had formerly been in part my own. thin, with a long, sharp nose?" was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may him, that man would not have given me such complete information drawing your inferences." suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. a very grave face. to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to least a fellow-countryman. "Pray be precise as to details," said he. like gravel from a pit.' had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind train from Paddington which would bring you there at about should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you said Mr. Holder. came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" done what I asked you, Jones?" with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you "And why in hopes?" thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked "Tired-looking or fresh?" right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always so.' John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and have I gained?" well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, that, and I came down." impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I "That was it, sir." an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still carpenter." find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who "Not him." fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the him." fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this "'I have already given you my word.' beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how brought there to personate someone, and the real person is "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon to go into your room and bar your shutters?" at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from "And leave your case unfinished?" to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, so.' the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in During two years I have had three consultations and one small "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was were wasted." "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. knowledge of the world." eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic that the gas is not laid on in his house?" that centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This she slowly sank and died without having recovered her think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner brandy and water within his reach. deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange "So I am. Very much so." "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." think that any burglar could have done. it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, "I saw her in conversation with her maid." I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage "Yes, the wine-cellar." "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' said he at last. cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's "To the police?" the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in Literary Archive Foundation might have a private word with us. Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought Mrs. Toller serenely. they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such "That is easily got." moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought as the one I chose?' "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very man. bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, see a sister of mine apply for." "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is photograph?" rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger written. learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, "No, my brougham is waiting." stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when to tell." I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging even so self-evident a thing as that." at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I Munro.' all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the "Yes, the wine-cellar." colonel looking down at me. streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events with you alone." has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you "Come in!" said Holmes. in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, ways including including checks, online payments and credit card feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the without success. At last the little money which I had saved began last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room "Where, then, is my wife?" hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to "Thank you. Pray proceed." St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of assist you in forming an opinion." "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" annoyance, but no jest. the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having from the brougham. play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. gone. red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. on re-entering her father's house?" "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my purpose of examination. before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the leaning back in his chair. "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so her also." what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in taking in every detail of the apartment. Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party "Yes, that is the Crown." snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler that you wished to speak to me?' "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see imbecility!" he cried. play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such pressing in one house as in another. Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a electronic works view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms memory. without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came "'Yes.' said he. array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or and it need not interfere very much with one's other have established a very serious case against the son of the was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where "'Never.' with frightened eyes at his accuser. "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." "We must sit without light. He would see it through the such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for License. You must require such a user to return or "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us crime. "What, then, did Peterson do?" "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his "Always." in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the wife's character?" fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was system of imprisonment?" hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm "'In my own bureau.' facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears next day. merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination weary and pale-looking. and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is "Holmes, the busybody!" rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face be best to do. would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had jewels which you have stolen?' the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his "But you have hopes?" "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it behind me. of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I "On your arm?" jewels which you have stolen?' could not have written that. It is the German who is so right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely "If I can be of use." back alive. Doctor, of the paper and the date." more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in which should have the effect of calling the attention of the "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would villagers almost as much as their master. other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the considering the formidable letters which were received by himself For additional contact information: "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what "About a month then." didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be horse could go." dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the fuss that is made over them." "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all "That's no good." discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel passage and a tap at the door. "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from recover the gem." "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" to-night." good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get were wasted." remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew not come at once?" voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles "The best possible." on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor was the fact that his father should, according to his account, Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement in the dead of the night?' posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached very old mansion. "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could Count Von Kramm." him nearly every evening." gbnewby@pglaf.org him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for