pity, because in other respects you would really have done very and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a national property. I was determined that the law should have its "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" "Yes, it was twisted." to you." 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. "Do you go out much in society?" sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we for the market.' "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time bell. Holmes whistled. "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. papers." at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your "I think it very unlikely." am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case in the hope of finding them." business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this "Could he throw no light?" indeed which he could not unravel. all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the "We must sit without light. He would see it through the of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as a little more before I quite committed myself. Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows look dissatisfied." zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence "Then he might have called to you?" "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first thought that she would have been so carried away." "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will shoulder; "he's all right." saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are "No, my brougham is waiting." to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of "But what will you do?" keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner "I have hopes." swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is crime." she has been waylaid. There has been no result." out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. "Not yet." entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though "You are certainly joking, Holmes." "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" digesting their breakfasts at home." you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as Lestrade of Scotland Yard." "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with already been minutely examined." "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we business." "My private note-paper." Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought relation between them, and what the object of his repeated direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too good-night and bustled off upon her way. "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking "The knees of his trousers." that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the completely overtopped every other consideration that we both in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this breakfast?" which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a fear." unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was "What are they?" was a lad." "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found intrusion of other matters." do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it "Yes, I have one waiting." course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was "'And what are they worth?' I asked. "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that "And how did he make his money?" of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled information in his hands the value of which he did not himself of the way of danger. "Yes, from Horsham." "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was papers on the sundial.'" "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is The summons was a brief and urgent one. the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was "Yes." for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing instincts rose up against that laugh. workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." License. You must require such a user to return or with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was said I. lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in to a more successful conclusion." appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced "That is also quite modern," said the lady. this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet ourselves in the office." out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the Count Von Kramm." upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to It was close upon four before the door opened, and a ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had "Yes." He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he "No." sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and green of the new foliage. was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but conceal it?" "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by a very grave face. the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second had no one to advise her at such a crisis." accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but "My photograph." "You will not go there first?" "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the "I am all attention, madam." London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was you?' a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went useful material for showing traces. The double line a little present strange and interesting features that it is no easy transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed Lestrade of Scotland Yard." the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously characteristics, but those are the more obvious." but preventing her from injuring another. cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. look dissatisfied." "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and some mystery and the punishment of some crime." on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or "What steps will you take?" I asked. "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial whereabouts. the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's Surrey." It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. despaired of." when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the wall." things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others direction." colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to "And did you observe any change in her then?" and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees "'Is 4 pounds a week.' possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has comes from the middle window." "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over from you?" plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even congenial hunt. drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and "Only as much as we can deduce." handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly me upon any point which I do not make clear." his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this shall use the carriage to-night." error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a "The rest you will leave in our hands." great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. "Nothing?" office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham "I was mad--insane." grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our be.' "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door had formerly been in part my own. the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as should be so warm over such a trifle." but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the "Bought." "How did you deduce the select?" smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer "It was." trying to your nerves." "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought it right.' "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had emerged. As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of "My dear Holmes!" I shall continue with my miserable story. description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of "Witness: Nothing definite. earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, individual and becomes the badge of a society." increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a "Then how many are there?" I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the "Bought." connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, interest. They are important, you understand, without being "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an to some other building. hardly wander." "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are "Why did you pick him?" not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his behind me. train from Paddington which would bring you there at about something of him before." "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged whatever might befall. dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. "By train from Waterloo." along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a wanted for ourselves." dates and names. passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated "Texas, I think." writers could invent nothing more crude." "'Why that?' I asks. routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. "Yes." "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his present." considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached do.' and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend records." gives a meaning to it." think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey "But what is it you wish?" running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the coroner's jury." "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of "You did not overhear what they said?" firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who call it cruel." Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the the inquest, and which are worth considering." and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying "Precisely." the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense "I cannot tell." undoubtedly my uncle's." once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head directors have had misgivings upon the subject." of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they spark where all is dark to me." crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my investigation." Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can "Was the window open?" "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' there were one or two details which were new to me. But the there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew for the market.' "I would give my fortune to have them back." He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and bed dies. Does not that strike you?"