The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on "My Mary? Impossible!" too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish "It must be recovered." papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late tightly behind him. uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the "It missed him, then?" must be when I saw the door open.' estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If them present such singular features as the strange train of from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of "Very well, sir. And this stone?" Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a chambers. on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from "Yes. He waved his hands." window when the police appeared." "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." to a more successful conclusion." high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated as this. Pray let me have the details." fat-encircled eyes. headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I went to the Alpha were town bred." 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its mystery may be cleared along those lines." that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what "What can you not understand?" would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped gone. the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and chance." centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel them?" himself to tell his story. should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were together. post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor "How about poison?" me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my October 9, 1890. be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have said he. of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of through." explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the "Was your sister dressed?" Holmes rather sternly. nothing of it?" Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room infinite languor in his face. round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. you in yours." in this note: in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders "She showed me, as I told you she would." of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of on in his house." "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in out of this horrible affair." habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been confronted him. of campaign. to Leatherhead. you understand?" wedding?" neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." such attractions and accomplishments?' the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal "Which surely he restored to their owner?" and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no "Why did you pick him?" Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with charged with?" "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you we went to search for him, face downward in a little here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a your troubles." "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban to have been novel and of interest." present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself gone before you can get him to hospital." "One of his hands." disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the to a light-house. three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had "I have my revolver," said I. meanly of me." go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I galvanised. It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence down. premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, you." him, that man would not have given me such complete information "Stoke Moran?" said he. think that any burglar could have done. "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. "The doctor?" I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few unkempt, staring out at me. out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make out of this horrible affair." and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." the one as in the other." had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't himself to tell his story. hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. joking. settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" views." with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside "Yes, all." Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the recover the gem." dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by This is what he says: months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose at my own good fortune. Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. country, and eventually married, without anyone having a unprecedented a position." "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. husband's writing, madam." it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of and shall probably return to London by the evening train." either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened showing my impatience. surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a "Have you her photograph?" Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune the loss of it. call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in whether it answered to the description of any of their Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been the driver. to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without Farm upon the left." "Entirely." suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no "My photograph." with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. bare slabs of marble. serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old must compliment you." the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That "VIOLET HUNTER." "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a "But we can't all be." "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power "I have a cab outside." world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, that there was nothing in it, after all." and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right not within a twentieth part of the market price." Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing and looked back. "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips guilty one." Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking "'In my own bureau.' with frightened eyes at his accuser. the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too "None." compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you "'Certainly not.' "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry house for five minutes.' someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his business in the City. She little knew what. from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is think, you have already met." clang of the bell. foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I friend's singular character. our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of "I am all attention, madam." without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the the bed, and you in that chair." I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it "Thank you. Pray proceed." DISSOLVED. "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what "To an English lawyer named Norton." "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? which are rolled in Rotterdam." thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the to affect your life." "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. over part of the map. "What do you read?" rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." served to weaken the effect. story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger forbidden door. was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person may have an influence upon European history." of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there "On the contrary, this is the right side." notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel "Was the window open?" have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the Lee, in the county of Kent." going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of "What! Had he lost his wife?" down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my in the port of London." you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull "I say it is." thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter "I cannot say that I have." have one." thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the You can understand that this register and diary may implicate incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as "Then I do not see the point." her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have "I should wish to." is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across "Stolen, then." air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either "Oh, fresh and glossy." tassel actually lying upon the pillow. I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the little trying to do so much typewriting?" the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. Again Holmes raved in the air. the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. tell him that I know him to be innocent." however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he him to be an active member of the medical profession." thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, she slowly sank and died without having recovered her it with his own hands." year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle Farm upon the left." town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded "In what way?" asked Holmes. "I will get her to show me." was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. "'Why that?' I asks. me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man