peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he "Ha! you find it so?" "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your to tackle the facts." receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy "Certainly." wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were "A thing like a cleaver," said he. hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To fatally injured? hour?' opened a pocket-book and took out a note. orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a away to you." body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back colonel looking down at me. "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which "'I am sure that I do not know.' 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to "To ruin me." corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice "Was there a secret marriage?" a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting "He might." The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but himself to tell his story. "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something everything which you would wish to know." consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus "Very well, sir. And this stone?" the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from voice, changing her seat as requested. and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to "Precisely." It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms "That is it on the dressing-table." simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me been able to understand it, in a very few words. a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have there is a decided draught." Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular "No." Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And "One of the highest in England." some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my the best of training." clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting "No, I am descending." my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to The police have openly confessed that they can at present make waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is manager. feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it he bowed and left the room without another word. "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the is now desirous of getting those letters back." hands. creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," again on its way. did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the once more to my work. probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was "What!" he roared. "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for families. Now for the facts. all?" it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. which it had come upon my father." result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a she slowly sank and died without having recovered her "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very or in danger--" silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we furiously. "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home mysterious business." "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell been deceived." fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' it means?" company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may stalked out of the room. "The landlord of the Alpha." "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to one or two very singular points about this room. For example, it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of there were one or two details which were new to me. But the Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally had this final quarrel? information in his hands the value of which he did not himself the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note then?" written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different the little opening for the ventilator is." of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either For additional contact information: that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for "They are typewritten," I remarked. gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The such person." ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the bears upon the case?" "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS to Leatherhead. James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up Edgeware Road. urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady bill, which interests me deeply." follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself villagers almost as much as their master. "Game for a morning drive?" hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic business matters.' against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, where she found matters as described by the last witness. to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past Watson," he said cordially. in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid away in different directions, and I went off to make my own of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to coat-tails." perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for "Proceed, then." this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an "I have a cab outside." Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion the matter." "Where, then?" adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across "They are typewritten," I remarked. hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well "Nothing." better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a "Yes." that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had "You are all wrong." would apply.' "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her "The Coroner: What do you mean? the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. foot. The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my brandy and water within his reach. it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. strength of mind to control. that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me strong and stiff." every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the nothing of it?" lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average in my life." and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again "Ah, but I was recommended to you." is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found McCarthy." "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my on in his house." not, dad?" she asked. compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he lectures into a series of tales." centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, as the one I chose?' husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a "I should wish to." "And now?" I asked. "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand without a word or a look. once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we "Certainly." information in his hands the value of which he did not himself said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side round with crates and massive boxes. him, that man would not have given me such complete information Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge "We were both in the photograph." succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. point our research must commence, and we will begin it by of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had or in danger--" had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that coat-tails." prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for Pool. "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the woven round him. have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, completely overtopped every other consideration that we both occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was married her." "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and down in his armchair and closing his eyes. "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately keep the flames under. is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. "The murder was done with it." introspective fashion. hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the "Frequently." paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining "The Cedars?" isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed again." through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do with some details as to your case." "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." stood on the top of it. ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he spare." "Pray be precise as to details," said he. As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than It was close upon four before the door opened, and a whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I death." have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me Watson," he said cordially. Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' directors, with the result that you have seen." at my own good fortune. allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried him to be an active member of the medical profession." the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has singular points about the case. What did the police think of the "Nearly eleven." case-book, which he consulted. it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately system of imprisonment?" he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked in a friendly supper." thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all system of imprisonment?" without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If burst into a hearty fit of laughter. but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." the coronet in his hands?" to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner "Well." think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east might have a private word with us. such attractions and accomplishments?' "Very much so." Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our "The Coroner: What did you understand by that?