her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. not fit the lock." "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent the Friday. Was it to be in church?" Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This "But you would not advise me to refuse?" disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has desk. noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to companion quietly. importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came "Yes, but only for you and me." of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at guilty parties." there is a decided draught." horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It address. sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or who was a member of your goose club." my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew "He slept on the premises." "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident brain must have something in it." "But I am all in the dark." the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so read over the extraordinary announcement. I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my forebodings. knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside "No more words. Get out!" "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we her also." robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body fire. You quite follow me?" mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case bearing upon the case." counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed second." "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite there were one or two details which were new to me. But the house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from forecastle of an emigrant ship. opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I and it need not interfere very much with one's other "I beg pardon." there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" "Will you bet, then?" stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like figure." "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed "What I expected to see." characteristics, but those are the more obvious." respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the "Has he come with you to-night?" "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am will take you up to see the machine.' "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose "Come in!" said Holmes. read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. present." though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the "No." I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a "I was mad--insane." chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. "If I can be of use." starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. hair?' "It is half-past ten now." "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their yourselves in at night?" whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our never will be, entirely cleared up. "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it as the one I chose?' "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could his forehead." glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little "You are hungry," I remarked. "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." Doctor, of the paper and the date." This is what he says: "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been girl said." their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right him nearly every evening." single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has invisible to me," I remarked. "That was it, sir." had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she papers must be those that are destroyed.' undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If least a most suspicious remark." "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each "'Certainly not. But why?' puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, asked. Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when papers must be those that are destroyed.' the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another "Here?" "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he one of them." "That is not always so easy." From what you have told me I think that it is possible that "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said the roots. on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the case-book, which he consulted. call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" means taking possession of that which another person has a prior in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these way: head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is breakfast and whispered something to her husband. The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks cup of tea. computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun "But not more so than I to find you." so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing "It missed him, then?" be. up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the imbecility!" he cried. theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." yet." to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep do.' a little more before I quite committed myself. outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had "Ample." re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of "Then what has happened to him?" were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in of the vacancies.' Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot make me his representative both with the servants and with the said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the "No. His orders were to stay in the house." hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening house for five minutes.' out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to "He disappeared so suddenly." that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, believe that I should never have any practice at all. heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he "Then I do not see the point." When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of "Not I." matter." is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own was feeling which was the fattest.' quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been "'And what salary do you ask?' Lestrade of Scotland Yard." official police." ago." Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the never will be, entirely cleared up. passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to *** START: FULL LICENSE *** clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was "Dr. Becher's." matter." Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised down from London to inquire more deeply into it." promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his ready to-morrow?' clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise papers on the sundial.'" commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. good-night and bustled off upon her way. years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black will he say when he returns?" the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, leaning back in his chair. correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' thin, with a long, sharp nose?" it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you in your London, you will know that the office of the company is absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of carried out of court." quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at and capable of preserving a secret.' the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her interests were the same as his." the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching what these perils are?" "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other me. You must get home instantly and act." he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think "Absolutely none." whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. call for protection in the marriage market, for the present chemical work which was so dear to him. "It was." wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to so far?" Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came made him keep the appointment." "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." already been minutely examined." the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, look dissatisfied." justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the frequently gained my first real insight into the character of to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." present strange and interesting features that it is no easy "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." fat-encircled eyes. right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite "Stolen, then." in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large "Do you know him?" a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and was once confined in the cab my mission was practically the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty questionable one." "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such Project Gutenberg-tm works. through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' joking. back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a "'No, I know no one in these parts.' only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about "None." in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper sit on the left-hand side of the driver." Leave Paddington by the 11:15." "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a taking in every detail of the apartment. have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, "Then, how do you know?" rose-bushes. "Here?" the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps it." chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, answered with a sidelong glance. do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She have I gained?" Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they