answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and jewels which you have stolen?' him, that man would not have given me such complete information whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. returned to France?" princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the window when the police appeared." "Yes, that is the Crown." impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You "About a month then." cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question comes from the middle window." case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was weary and pale-looking. and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he Holmes. "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" "By no means." tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of "Yes." Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it "He might." then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. knowledge of the world." him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, "What!" he roared. "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. know that the truth is known." "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. forecastle of an emigrant ship. form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm was used.' character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of "Look there!" said he. Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding "No, I am descending." "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," "A call for help, you thought?" at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong "'You cannot say what it was?' It may be so in this case, also." so far?" was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in place, I think that there is good ground to think that the that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful "'And the work?' "I think that I had better go, Holmes." call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone his huge brown hands. up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is do." which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, rooms." the station." chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to "'How far from the body?' McCarthy." could not account in any way for the presence of the missing fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager You can understand that this register and diary may implicate breakfast and whispered something to her husband. "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, which was all perfectly true. wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of "In heaven's name, what for?" I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you the station." It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the "Really! You surprise me." "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "Precisely." Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." four million human beings all jostling each other within the banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would it with his own hands." she has been waylaid. There has been no result." "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant which should have the effect of calling the attention of the drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. "And sit in the dark?" of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to The King stared at him in amazement. whole matter to your consideration." to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say national property. I was determined that the law should have its Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he and the whole place is in a blaze." brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." "But how will you look?" been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, mystery!" "None." "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and good-night and bustled off upon her way. misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" tassel actually lying upon the pillow. your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has for its centre. English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always daring than any effort of the imagination." in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." but preventing her from injuring another. voice. rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his residence of the great financier. "Yesterday." me, and I could not think that his explanation of the and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a papers must be those that are destroyed.' been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which it? Did I buy the geese off you?" pound a week." whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. weary and pale-looking. experiences." Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes "Was she in good spirits?" of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know to-morrow." "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to I have it here in my museum." "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and business came to an end." very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, her also." struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his "The Coroner: What do you mean? "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then business came to an end." Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his again." or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six which it had come upon my father." Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, "What! a murderous attack?" investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a "I fear not." send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features had formerly been in part my own. from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive before, for it was considerably after midnight. more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" fear." the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. done what I asked you, Jones?" the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the throat." murdered man." or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm conversation I have gathered that they have been married about the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go him and tried to hold him back. have an American origin." rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he she used." "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to away in different directions, and I went off to make my own name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the the King without delay." "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had "'Yes.' every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked "A confidential servant?" reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls "I have a cab outside." "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was "How on earth--" his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and Where does the thing come from?' was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had "Will you go?" Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora Street. concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety "I fear not." "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." occurred." the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich away in different directions, and I went off to make my own his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she despair." hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning politicians who had been sent down from the North. PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. get the tickets." who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" "I came to find a friend." lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to strength of mind to control. side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the thin, with a long, sharp nose?" the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should digesting their breakfasts at home." I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through families. Now for the facts. that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of hurried away. man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "No, I had a dozen." he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every colour had been driven from his face. set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I "And Irene Adler?" the iron safe, which he closed upon it. again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully "You saw the ventilator, too?" corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I "'Not at all. I only doubt--' Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from help us in this matter." conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his Holmes." there has been an enclosure here!" however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and Where does the thing come from?' knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot enter Dr. Roylott's room." small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, companion imperturbably. ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in have not had my rubber." "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. License. You must require such a user to return or it." For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by himself. for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman and shall probably return to London by the evening train." thin, with a long, sharp nose?" problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to The summons was a brief and urgent one. the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. "'I am sure if I had known--' certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been again, where I was soon asleep. whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his which are rolled in Rotterdam." "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to "He disappeared so suddenly." companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same instincts rose up against that laugh. stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." Literary Archive Foundation "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. very morning of my second wedding." always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever lost nothing by them." employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid