other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea see a sister of mine apply for." shaken than I had ever seen him. very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time to go into your room and bar your shutters?" confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable relation between them, and what the object of his repeated his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do said he, "my real name is James Ryder." "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered returning from some small jollification and was making his way Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an a very grave face. light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do good for you to do.' conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." away into the river." to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider in his power. its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had "But your client--" like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other bachelor.' "And from a noble client?" disappearance of these gems?" good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An will be renamed. safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming would apply.' which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no "Yes." "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our "Then the page we have seen--" one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who make me his representative both with the servants and with the laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" place of silver." upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the shadow pass over his face as I spoke. we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off singular points about the case. What did the police think of the "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion "So I am. Very much so." the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on several quiet little villages up there." imbecility!" he cried. old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' you want, then?' "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his impression behind it as though a window had gently closed I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, point our research must commence, and we will begin it by much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense to affect your life." am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" hurried by. "No. His orders were to stay in the house." Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly room?" "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He "My photograph." Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and "It is half-past ten now." "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, figure." her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' "'Yes, it was gone.' "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, "He is dead," cried several voices. Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of Holmes' face clouded over. association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend think you a quite exceptional woman." beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. "No, my brougham is waiting." left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all "Dirty?" to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat everything which you would wish to know." and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul to his chemical studies. deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of "Entirely." "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden orange pips. That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a "It may not come to that," said Holmes. "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom will find little credit to be gained out of this case." "And the cigar-holder?" "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it foresight and the moral retrogression?" and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always success. did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, strong reason behind." "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. a room. I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be "Imitated." walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." "It is possible." inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. "'And the work?' in. advice." enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a God! What an exposure! What can I do?" you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It 1.E.9. I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the "You don't mind breaking the law?" "No sign of it?" the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, "It is true that I have been generally successful." set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. bore every mark of being an average commonplace British foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring lost nothing by them." foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to eavesdroppers?' creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to presented more singular features than that which was associated about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect "Yes, they were peculiar boots." "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting means taking possession of that which another person has a prior "I have hopes." beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure "I will, Miss Turner." black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap one which it was hard to resist. address. The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, "'I shall certainly be there.' ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to the stones. down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if maiden herself was most instructive." frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions gone. who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for reach." from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can "'A dozen yards or so.' "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs ashen face. common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence "How many? I don't know." me." "Yes." putting in the horse. distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the to-night's adventure." threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, the inquest, and which are worth considering." lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers always that they were such commands as a lady might with suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long goes." far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of spare." together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some to have that photograph." swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it "No. His orders were to stay in the house." dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very secret." when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter lost his Christmas dinner." annoyance, but no jest. death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he call for it in person on Monday morning.' world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' 'please.'" "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was James Windibank. Voilà tout!" had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had "'I am sure if I had known--' 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern "My dear Holmes!" if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or photograph?" handed it to him. gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately "No, I had a dozen." "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms written. lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a "One of his hands." doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who own family. plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, for and were ordered to this address. eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our "Bought." reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our were unconscious?" pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was neither fascinating nor artistic." pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, and laid it on the table. "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand colour had been driven from his face. abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them definite end. "'Never,' said I. police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a "About a month then." wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a 11:15.' was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up "'In my own bureau.' succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a Young McCarthy must be got off, however." and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is crackling voice. copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." and it need not interfere very much with one's other God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his gentleman's clothes. Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room both be extremely obliged.' familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in could not account in any way for the presence of the missing kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb acquaintance?" the stones. months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case thirty. high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the helping a boy to put up the shutters. "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, and no precautions can guard against." "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The "Yes, that is the Crown." "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than "Oh, yes, easily." hopeless attempt at recovering them." its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have look dissatisfied." black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not any."