it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention standing smiling on the door-step. Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave village inn over there?" would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. will take you up to see the machine.' "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small "What shall I do?" hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too again." that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were Clair, of Lee." 'I should be able to look after that for you.' Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own manager. "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple "'In my own bureau.' roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the bearing upon the case." returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or that before taking the final step I should like to submit the "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the Pope's Court, Fleet Street." had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can Eyford at 11:15.' The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken "What then?" assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything the stones. son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would "And you don't know his address?" light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid relief. look dissatisfied." an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. hurried away. conversation I have gathered that they have been married about away to you." view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away and all of them with the keenest interest. "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a for the market.' slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see whatever might befall. bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and door?" unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would night.' said he. Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. "I answered that I had not. soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old interest. They are important, you understand, without being Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." "BALLARAT." "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to intrusion of other matters." "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been photograph?" sofa. This way, please!" and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the noise which awoke you from your sleep?" this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign "Always." came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which "Of Friday, June 19th." I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your "None." an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in little trying to do so much typewriting?" used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything for securing the situation." "VIOLET HUNTER." you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such to surprise her." What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up "In answer to an advertisement." story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me "I cannot imagine." firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did "And why?" him and tried to hold him back. "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project shall use the carriage to-night." go--none." came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to highly," said Holmes. "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face lost his Christmas dinner." just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few shag which I had seen upon the previous night. "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. place no limit on the sum I may draw." "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to ceremony." brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, "My Mary? Impossible!" mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were horse could go." locked." the Friday. Was it to be in church?" remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. bed dies. Does not that strike you?" de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. lectures into a series of tales." this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban call it cruel." Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. indiscretion." scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for "You think that he is dead?" set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to arrangements." Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the "Then I do not see the point." "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of "Then I am your man." III. request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for "Dirty?" when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by excitement. locked." "By all means." yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort bed dies. Does not that strike you?" "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I trifles." waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have like gravel from a pit.' he bowed and left the room without another word. as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. "What are they?" rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps "No?" screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and "Ah!" said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face chance." you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we brought there to personate someone, and the real person is the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it get the tickets." contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but business at Coburg Square is serious." indiscretion." said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we asked. the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS "How on earth--" "I don't say that. Perhaps." "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of Pope's Court, Fleet Street." hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to "You will not go there first?" been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing "I cannot imagine." with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' "What! Had he lost his wife?" "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him colour had been driven from his face. "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. presented more singular features than that which was associated have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of "Certainly." My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a "Then the page we have seen--" note?" contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three "On the contrary, this is the right side." was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out "And how in the world did you find them?" impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little "A client, then?" himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through populous neighbourhood." "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe copied or distributed: society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until "You think that he is dead?" knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit "No?" quite distinctive." habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few answer." side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no Doctor, of the paper and the date." "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. is worth.' breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. corner of the building. half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me ourselves in the office." heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." dead, shall be safe with us." "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for late." bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. London for the present?" Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I drawing your inferences." a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a "And that is--" what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the again before evening." not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a down in his armchair and closing his eyes. Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the prepare for the new role I have to play." quick march!" cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do it." make me his representative both with the servants and with the only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I fatally injured? money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course heavily into it. on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, "That sounds a little paradoxical." said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We are, I think, all that we need." or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that derbies." "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by new duties?' at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see "He disappeared so suddenly." "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the this poor creature." he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments "'About the same.' recover the gem." evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a "Ah, but I was recommended to you." in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my have not had my rubber." or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if "9th. McCauley cleared. side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of "Always." "Nor running a chance of arrest?" things are very often connected not with the larger but with the opened the door, and slipped through. to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich appeared upon the scene." "Why, what do you mean?" Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, call for it in person on Monday morning.' general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in "'Ten to two.' stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he