answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of weigh very heavily upon my conscience." assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and do.' Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning late." front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have out of this horrible affair." so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I The King stared at him in amazement. black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for anything to a woman, for she would have her way." visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a "I say that I have solved it." round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, "Where is it, then?" second window is the one that I jumped from." more terrible than the truth. you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for ceremony." "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the "Married! When?" "Yes, that is the Crown." "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a business." "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming "So I am. Very much so." "Not particularly." he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched and shall probably return to London by the evening train." cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country the nursery. Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each your troubles." "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I one else, I think." is four-and-twenty." the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the his cane at the bell-pull. problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And McCarthy's innocence. It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, client, rising. without success. At last the little money which I had saved began she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may Literary Archive Foundation "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. few hundred pounds.' gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged to that open window." "Pray do so." servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds that before taking the final step I should like to submit the be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the of the one which your family is now devouring." that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." some mystery and the punishment of some crime." "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four children over to America with him, so that I found myself without at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. placed his cuttings. reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 hardly wander." "'You doubt its value?' he asked. feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by "'No, I know no one in these parts.' redistribution. one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again said I. green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this "Then you may be so with me." attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I correct than the official force." where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, morning." with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite which are rolled in Rotterdam." waste of energy." received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if light and attacked it." electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days once more to my work. up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by be sorry for having acted so harshly." not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, that I can to serve you." been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity "I should like to see him very much." Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make "Did you observe the colour?" considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have from the brougham. going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding lectures into a series of tales." have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your cause to be." occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with "Not him." two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in asked with his eyes open. "You think that he is dead?" my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." with you alone." more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with "Indeed! Whose, then?" skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless it." than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings burst out into a roar of laughter. than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot "But who is he?" the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One crime. "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat "How do you know, then?" "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" just ask you whether you had heard it.' the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, "Yes, sir." large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on wedding?" should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the "But to whom?" walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom "What!" he roared. even of instruction." is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. "Nothing." "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked "Nothing?" "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official row." unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to like gravel from a pit.' my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who hands. "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. "Her father is very rich?" us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should recall any case within my experience which looked at the first round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after absorbing." to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who of Fenchurch Street." He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you tied." inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." should be so warm over such a trifle." "A greater distance to travel." greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. "Entirely." empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to triumphant cloud from his cigarette. absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some least a fellow-countryman. "Why did you pick him?" active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project in your London, you will know that the office of the company is though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." "Can I be of assistance?" "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely "Yes, that is the Crown." the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our and inquire as to the address." "'Certainly not.' "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to foot. he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another and that he would see to anything that turned up. been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, pictures, libraries, or plate. King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham ordinary clothes on?" now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty "Yes." shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and voice, changing her seat as requested. Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. at my own good fortune. "Where is it, then?" sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's should be taken.' you." misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little ready to-morrow?' But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my "Did he not advertise?" the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" "And Irene Adler?" than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" less than 26s. 4d. passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, delighted to hear it," he said. He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that "'And what are they worth?' I asked. to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." "I cannot think." time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an get her out of the way." the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss "What will you do, then?" never to learn it at all." The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some quite distinctive." "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate reach." "The Cedars?" the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had "No, finished." case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting help us in this matter." this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he a good hundred miles off by now." where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is one of them." delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest until night should bring an explanation. station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I at my remark. have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, "Then he might have called to you?" the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to delirious. "Seven!" I answered. "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been "Yes." "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. what I may call a really hard day's work." kind enough to tell me what I should do." this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to there was no need for father to know." "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But to change my dress. "Whose house is it?" "About a month then." myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up "Nothing." 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' your Highness to the police-station?" of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been "My stepfather's business papers."