"The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the "Very truly yours, goes." borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe appeal." young Openshaw's." the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and whereabouts. sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all "But what is it you wish?" seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but I approached. glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, the window, rose as we entered. however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were it means?" from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal it right.' "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' charge against him will break down." "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a "Was your sister dressed?" "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his open." with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers second window is the one that I jumped from." any more." robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate respectable self." "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said been deceived." "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, 'I should be able to look after that for you.' "But how?" "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two anything to a woman, for she would have her way." "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own could not have written that. It is the German who is so mysterious end." roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the as noiselessly as she had come. he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor again." his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would whatever might befall. surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which "What do you mean?" "Where, then?" suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive strong and stiff." "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be your most interesting statement." "He might." not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before their singular warning or token before them when starting upon a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the you." this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, "Yes." glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." that the gas is not laid on in his house?" they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that The police have openly confessed that they can at present make "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when one or two very singular points about this room. For example, may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." "Entirely." breakfast?" have got?" paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, very morning of my second wedding." confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which second window is the one that I jumped from." "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend quickly through a disagreeable task. which our visitor detailed to us. would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and "Where did he live, then?" "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered "I shall be delighted." greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your wanted for ourselves." "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had "You will not go there first?" police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, status with the IRS. "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of "Yes, I have one waiting." "I assure you that I am in your hands." "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the "Which are?" donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my tightly behind him. with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting already referred to. which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is feature." heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" this man was intellectual?" quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." cost them two and thirty pounds." "'What then?' I asked. "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked "Is he quiet?" unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my "Oh, the cause is excellent!" "And the murderer?" McCarthy's innocence. value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the "What!" he roared. outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a once more on the important position which you have been fortunate loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told "'I am sure if I had known--' his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian "Get out!" said he. copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a charged with?" look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing "But your client--" behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. their singular warning or token before them when starting upon papers." golden eyeglasses. handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre passage and a tap at the door. The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one opened the door, and slipped through. have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you During two years I have had three consultations and one small 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur "Nothing." "I don't believe it." dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight dates and names. He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't "Texas, I think." "Well, but China?" of Mr. Rucastle's." flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest populous neighbourhood." and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a could not account in any way for the presence of the missing without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. Munro.' have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the question you as to those details which seem to me to be most arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without crime. The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been "Yes. He waved his hands." he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. You can understand that this register and diary may implicate "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily "So I am. Very much so." For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards his knees, staring into the fire. acquaintance?" "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque "But she could not love him." grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the whole matter to your consideration." human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between will take you up to see the machine.' rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an "No, thank goodness, she did not." caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as may never be exposed to such a temptation." would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." legal crime." "But how?" the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since touch that coronet?' received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he client, rising. blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year sofa. This way, please!" my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me to tackle the facts." arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was "In heaven's name, what for?" the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before "How did he come?" "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at "Very much so." "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional "Perhaps I have." therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have security.' indeed happy." had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm future lives." "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter present strange and interesting features that it is no easy power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and "Yes." who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to "'What, the red-headed man?' vanished into the darkness. tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely thin legs towards the fire. "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way Sutherland. "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and "Did he not advertise?" "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of "What, then?" very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon becomes even more simple." "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his presented which may be striking and bizarre without being My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic with some details as to your case." edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' "To an end?" got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, "But what harm can there be in that?" asked. aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is asked. "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I of the efforts of the United States government and of the better and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I made his money." "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert time." wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I "A confidential servant?" yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no point in the dark hollow of his hand. Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two "One of his hands." making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of "I was certainly surprised to find you there." Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove sufficient punishment." him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses "And help." little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy "Two days later this same performance was gone through under was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of "Witness: I must still refuse. "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and