he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you use an arc-and-compass breastpin." saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his begun to whiten, even as mine has." widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative my former friend and companion. frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put "Holmes, the busybody!" was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" crime." held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were "Certainly." woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to been anything against him. He had for years been known as a fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all distinguish the words: evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had next day. and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the "ARAT," I read. mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which had no one to advise her at such a crisis." settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in "Yes." Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His photograph?" was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" to tell." last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything "And why?" dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of "But to whom?" tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. "Yes." "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 The police have openly confessed that they can at present make money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but direction." planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. hour." caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little roused himself from his reverie. ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his "'What, the red-headed man?' not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner in a very precise fashion." moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must envelope. "'Where to?' "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. papers diligently of late, have you not?" have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually him!" "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a "'Never,' said I. of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was lips." "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in could go. been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his highroad, where all traces were lost. makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He bird of prey. "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification horse could go." "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp "Only as much as we can deduce." dead, shall be safe with us." "I cannot tell." mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." be sorry for having acted so harshly." "Breckinridge is his name." "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my three fields round his house, and there he would take his the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. beyond words. glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to face and glided from the room. of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are wedding?" "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman had a long day." dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest "'Stolen!' he cried. "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What straightened it out again. which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the to some other building. flock.' Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to "What have you to say now?" "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than ourselves in the office." who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." I have it here in my museum." "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if "You will not go there first?" breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other present." wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very thin legs towards the fire. "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to "Precisely." "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, "And what did you learn from him?" Eyford." "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she in the dead of the night?' again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier was lame." woman who has had her own way to make in the world. vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an overpowering excitement and concern. best detective that ever lived. know that the truth is known." examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar of a light. "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come to tackle the facts." strength of mind to control. have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that became a certainty. "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding off." despaired of." week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the letters?" collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and "And did you observe any change in her then?" "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, to go into your room and bar your shutters?" would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two the coroner come to?" "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, "Frequently." in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the "You don't mind breaking the law?" "He said that you could solve anything." "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some "He is still with you, I presume?" "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, his forehead." "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had "Very well, sir. And this stone?" my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the helping a boy to put up the shutters. and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the room had already been engaged for us. chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of bill, which interests me deeply." "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather been shamefully used." told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent "My private note-paper." would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man ready to-morrow?' effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called dates and names. disturbance in my wife." the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was with you?" a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no "I will not look." "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. companion. black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud "No." insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me "Then I shall certainly come." eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried ready to-morrow?' to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been to talk it over. Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' "Yes, I have one waiting." Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary new duties?' abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady recall any case within my experience which looked at the first "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features she used." yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own "What can you not understand?" and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman "I am armed." frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, "Yes, sir." have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." upon an income of about 60 pounds." point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, Chief Executive and Director assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, throat." experiences." surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that experiences." the night.' "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. his knees, staring into the fire. "Precisely so. But how--" There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in out of this horrible affair." all-comprehensive glances. "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and of it with the greatest attention. phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the gigantic client. "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called the very morning of the wedding." man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in cheerful." of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of already referred to. Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and "Entirely." thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort "My Mary? Impossible!" "Stolen, then." collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he sparkled upon his finger. "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. the Assizes." he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty have established a very serious case against the son of the upon the white wrist. with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and followed. public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I might help us?" lost his Christmas dinner." how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me was it brought him the coronet? bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking Holmes' thin, eager face. finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, unclasping of his long thin hands. the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to have been better. It is all right." snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter see me here to avoid scandal." "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was married her." is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the "'What do you call purely nominal?' journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of amused." pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and