with frightened eyes at his accuser. Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked "You horrify me!" Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered unclasping of his long thin hands. registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm grasp, he hurried from the room. "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become of the efforts of the United States government and of the better appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" have had none more fantastic than this." look dissatisfied." weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt entirely devoid of interest." was shining brightly. reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first "Yes, it was twisted." rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 "I should be immensely obliged to you." already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a Clair, of Lee." the loss of it. hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at bachelor.' made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." the date of his supposed suicide." signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we the window, rose as we entered. past. "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but bled considerably." think you a quite exceptional woman." the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net interested in these little problems, and since you are good passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had made him keep the appointment." gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream and capable of preserving a secret.' trifles." direction." of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a "Nor running a chance of arrest?" Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall "How do you know, then?" are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in "Bought." cigars in the box." Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, felt the room to be a little close.' temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But over his head with a sweet womanly caress. was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the before the coroner and the police-court." other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest useful material for showing traces. The double line a little and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as once more for Briony Lodge. the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and his huge brown hands. "My stepfather's business papers." follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a "Where, then?" waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which "But you were on a friendly footing?" conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. until night should bring an explanation. Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband chance." "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" "Precisely so. But how--" in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all cigar and let me expound." equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, "Where, then, is my wife?" with you alone." lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking morning." few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who to-night?' overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with more solid." But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each presented which may be striking and bizarre without being "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, "What have you to say now?" have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of this remarkable episode. the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly are, and they are waiting for us." swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously own family. in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of "Where is it, then?" family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every figure." for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a "But we can't all be." quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been "Is he quiet?" call the police, let the police find what they can.' "'Which dealer's?' above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, "No. His orders were to stay in the house." and the church but not where the lady lived." took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his habit of advancing money.' "And from a noble client?" idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were thirty. through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' "Was your sister dressed?" "Now, then, what's the last entry?" "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this pictures, libraries, or plate. tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the other, as fresh and trim as possible. unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way yet." twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to "I fear not." "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of your co-operation." "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who this truth that in these little records of our cases which you "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. "Perhaps I have." really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the husband's writing, madam." "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it with you?" perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility "You have a clue?" watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a open." two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been "My private note-paper." temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better "Never." lumber-room." "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. "Could he throw no light?" money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if a monotonous occupation." 'I should be able to look after that for you.' "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, that threaten you." sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally fluttered off among the others. an introduction to him?" Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez is worth.' in. "Very truly yours, newspaper selections." cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again situation." I. "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. whereabouts. Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out "Murdered?" again." our word." shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in "'What are you doing there?' he asked. initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped get her out of the way." one else, I think." ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP and laid it on the table. "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. "In which, sir?" serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of politicians who had been sent down from the North. there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. problems help me to do so." all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something friends, not even his own brother. "You did not overhear what they said?" "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master "Never to return." arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger like that before?" of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is use an arc-and-compass breastpin." "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he Holmes. He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to "Nothing." well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: details should find their way into the papers. Inspector when you have done it." I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" "It missed him, then?" the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round "Why did you beat the pavement?" Edgeware Road. The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you that before taking the final step I should like to submit the Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and "Dark enough and sinister enough." hopeless attempt at recovering them." "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. "You have carte blanche." closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must "'It is locked up,' I answered. window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and "Yes, that is the Crown." nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when "'Certainly not.' from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little written. his wife has ceased to love him." held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just opened the door, and slipped through. band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted evidence," I remarked. will he say when he returns?" my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any "But how did you gain them?" could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. bachelor.' call for it in person on Monday morning.' End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" the nursery. "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties anything to a woman, for she would have her way." and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. "Not particularly." was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had front of the hall door has given its name to the place. me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. "How often?" interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her "Always." you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian Leave Paddington by the 11:15." collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such "No, thank goodness, she did not." "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very extraordinary contortions. "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their infinite languor in his face. window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. "'And what salary do you ask?' You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both villagers almost as much as their master. fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully "Stolen, then." "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my nonsense.' habit of advancing money.' "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed electronic works its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire washing it down with a long draught of water. quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his Holmes." adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but way in everything. amused." Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, voice. At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a it were putty." "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven success. cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker