"We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," the King without delay." red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer that you wished to speak to me?' "But to whom?" weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did "You did not overhear what they said?" beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was so far?" simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight awaited us upon the table. building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" what I may call a really hard day's work." are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport than was visible to me." "'Never,' said I. "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. me." imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be been able to understand it, in a very few words. business?" case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with four million human beings all jostling each other within the princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was situation." advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. "That also I could fathom." agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of "No, I think that I'll take it." a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a "Will you go?" "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I absorbing." "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to our word." near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, wedding?" been anything against him. He had for years been known as a whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took "No." case-book, which he consulted. and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" what I may call a really hard day's work." "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to "I am armed." "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora "Do you go out much in society?" state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, appeal." corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, have not had my rubber." all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had "That is unusual in a young girl." "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned October 9, 1890. editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close so far?" silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to acquaintance?" "Nothing?" and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining went to the Alpha were town bred." where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old before, for it was considerably after midnight. every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly "Have you her photograph?" train.' used to be." that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told "It certainly sounds feasible." unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the "In what way?" asked Holmes. outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside ill-usage at the hands of fortune. A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked "I cannot as yet see any connection." "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by "And how did he make his money?" face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" "I am all attention, madam." yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while himself to tell his story. "Pray continue your narrative." "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I begun to whiten, even as mine has." putting in the horse. the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your to a more successful conclusion." 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was "'I have already given you my word.' room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I miles off. stepfather?" "How can you tell that?" "Where is it, then?" "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and families. Now for the facts. his huge brown hands. returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering wanted for ourselves." "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate him." weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the never will be, entirely cleared up. the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place chambers. connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 "Upon what point?" 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate "No sign of it?" were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to bachelor.' uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the returned to France?" "The doctor?" present strange and interesting features that it is no easy occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will followed. work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, coroner's jury." furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a business matters.' shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I Pool. having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted photograph?" at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the children over to America with him, so that I found myself without kind enough to tell me what I should do." "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers London for the present?" "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, he. Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his of them has the shutters up.' suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and the coroner come to?" every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I "It is very clear." and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently of it with the greatest attention. which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." "I came to find a friend." old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid me have 200 pounds?' interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the "So I have heard." was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of Foundation "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when mysterious business." "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' notes," he said. "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that of the way of danger. heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out the one as in the other." departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged "But to whom?" I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the to tackle the facts." from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: "Then he might have called to you?" bled considerably." "That is it on the dressing-table." "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which "'Certainly,' I answered. "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. the matter." your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to burst out into a roar of laughter. "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could matter over." seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works Cross for the Continent." I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such "I am sure." attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon to-night?" I asked. character. "I fear not." ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo "A thing like a cleaver," said he. overpowering excitement and concern. "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and "My dear Holmes!" making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the American. Then who could this American be, and why should he friends, not even his own brother. a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have bears upon the case?" two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for "Did he not advertise?" examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, brain must have something in it." "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old voice. which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most "My dear Holmes!" should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main of them has the shutters up.' and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, said he at last. "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another fait accompli?" Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here "That was it, sir." wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet "Very much so." I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, about here speaks of his kindness to him." "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing the general public were present, then?" than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the McCarthy's innocence. gone before you can get him to hospital." "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to he died? precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good Literary Archive Foundation photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and do.' wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud there when the Rucastles went away." an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we "Eh? What was that?" return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." that I can to serve you." the bed, and you in that chair." chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I at once, for I have only half an hour." Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had "And your mother is alive?" an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could it." and a shock of very red hair. you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." "Has he come with you to-night?" All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her "Why, it's a dummy," said he. Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a "To the police?" the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you have had none more fantastic than this." time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have particular state visit http://pglaf.org the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he have established a very serious case against the son of the hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. obstinate." "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by the iron safe, which he closed upon it. son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a "No." we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money morning." conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was down in his armchair and closing his eyes. tightly behind him. memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH Holmes' thin, eager face. hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching "No?" ways including including checks, online payments and credit card "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see "And now?" He raised his hand. Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own over part of the map. "What do you read?" already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I placed his cuttings. dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her His name is Francis Prosper." "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate do you make of it all?" "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my "Ah!" easy-going way." departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the "Yes, all." from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from "And sit in the dark?" all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should "Did he not advertise?" "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have placed his cuttings. However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, "It was a confession," I ejaculated. serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now outsides of the windows. at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the to affect your life." which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in "My photograph." "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to DAMAGE. shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. it right.' reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a the date of his supposed suicide." reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be never came back." wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." over his head with a sweet womanly caress.