living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may "I will get her to show me." "And how did you verify them?" word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were taking in every detail of the apartment. "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was sentimental considerations in the background which would induce to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I "Holmes, the busybody!" "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was "But I am all in the dark." the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. "A call for help, you thought?" second." main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice the general public were present, then?" "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy learned something! Where are the gems?" the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others at once, for I have only half an hour." a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' over with notes and figures. The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though "Perfectly so." questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. empty. "Whose house is it?" certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. "None." when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for "What of the rat, then?" work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. "I am in hopes that she does." Pool. weigh very heavily upon my conscience." explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who not within a twentieth part of the market price." "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" tear off another piece?' chamber." rooms." "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my "9th. McCauley cleared. put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was "Has he come with you to-night?" little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the make me his representative both with the servants and with the "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the disturbance in my wife." these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty suspect him." open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always shall use the carriage to-night." to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat sparkled upon his finger. "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear over his head with a sweet womanly caress. then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at memory. work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' in a very precise fashion." village inn over there?" "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, hard-headed British jury." quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." Holmes rather sternly. copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg "Married! When?" "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt I took the paper from him and read as follows: While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced a monotonous occupation." "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for The police have openly confessed that they can at present make sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. everything which you would wish to know." smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to formed some opinion?" "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the trifles." my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at fait accompli?" of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary second." "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which time." said he, "my real name is James Ryder." his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical main points of my analysis." papers on the sundial.'" a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a cigars in their mouths. "He slept on the premises." she used." We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I to surprise her." gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across door?" light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything "I will try. What is it?" "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, test if we have an answer to our advertisement." Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." "Where did you address your letters, then?" was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who round and wave him away like that.' my friend's incisive reasoning. legal crime." round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is this as likely?" October 9, 1890. "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been and I shall be with you presently." thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you "I am to be neutral?" a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was right! Sit down and let us talk it over." neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured "Yes, it was twisted." was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. completely overtopped every other consideration that we both III. "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' questionable one." gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You "And you don't know his address?" battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still "I think that it is very probable." "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," my secret was safe in his possession. "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, "Yes." Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I light and attacked it." "9th. McCauley cleared. doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was little trying to do so much typewriting?" your equipment. brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the see me here to avoid scandal." "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," said he. bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very and capable of preserving a secret.' that I am arrested." piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the "Where, indeed?" "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently "And the murderer?" "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a if I call to-morrow?" and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little in. "I say it is." "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." "What is it?" impression behind it as though a window had gently closed reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he it? Did I buy the geese off you?" 'I should be able to look after that for you.' test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of through." buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had dramatic, in fact." there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had conduct the inquiry." salesman. cigar and let me expound." both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked waste of energy." order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." returning from some small jollification and was making his way between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the to you." so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled "He said too much." "It is possible." William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the pity, because in other respects you would really have done very and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You "And your mother is alive?" and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say upon the white wrist. I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John "Stoke Moran?" said he. my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say Sutherland. forecastle of an emigrant ship. "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear round with crates and massive boxes. description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' me upon any point which I do not make clear." "It came here." process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I "Then I can wait in the next room." "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If to-morrow." have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to you." star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of "What then?" mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and chill to my heart. One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have where Mr. Fordham shows you.' that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front "Texas, I think." "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of "May I see it?" questioning and rather startled gaze. tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and out." stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up "They are typewritten," I remarked. there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his delirious. "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the possible that we could bring him back to her? thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you annoyance, but no jest. Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell "In San Francisco, a year ago." "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing his grey eyes. "That is unusual in a young girl." "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of is entirely a question of barometric pressure." wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with in the dead of the night?' black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, where Mr. Fordham shows you.' knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was go from here to the Strand." play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his situation." of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. good for you to do.' next day. explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord matters immensely." remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack "Very well, sir. And this stone?" have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of examination of the premises, but without finding anything which professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an *** START: FULL LICENSE *** cheerful." Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to occurred." inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two "In San Francisco, a year ago." "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it it? Did I buy the geese off you?" "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. some mystery and the punishment of some crime." was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and From what you have told me I think that it is possible that tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if