reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." papers diligently of late, have you not?" unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other "From his hat?" back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of "And why?" as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying there is a decided draught." now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over cigars in their mouths. room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a him nearly every evening." clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of woman." whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted thin legs towards the fire. his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" October 9, 1890. troubles have been weighing upon his mind. doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the so.' loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and "What shall I do?" "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another "Will you go?" may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' sparkled upon his finger. Leave Paddington by the 11:15." "I will, Miss Turner." be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed frequently gained my first real insight into the character of lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as cigar and let me expound." The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the he died? I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. Leadenhall Street--and--" soul! here is her carriage at the door." and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he "Where, then, is my wife?" I shall continue with my miserable story. furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. about. the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with the address that was given us in the advertisement. is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet prisoner's face. lips." sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I electronic works "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words wife's character?" Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in "Then I shall certainly come." of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. a very grave face. to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, use an arc-and-compass breastpin." "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of sparkled upon his finger. "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, have I gained?" "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could walking." impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and "Nor running a chance of arrest?" Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an situation." surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, "Precisely." woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest official police." may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds to have been novel and of interest." together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the disappearance of these gems?" doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "No bad?" He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But said he. grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business yet." "I am in hopes that she does." you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has "'It is locked up,' I answered. beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed forehead. "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other formed some opinion?" this poor creature." my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the "There are none." money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton any more." wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which "I will not look." breakfast and whispered something to her husband. she has been waylaid. There has been no result." TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had entirely devoid of interest." flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. is acting for the best. "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was wedding?" He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that leaning back in his chair. "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon "In which, sir?" was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning I nodded to show that I had heard. matter over." of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for test if we have an answer to our advertisement." made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. his huge brown hands. "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate "'Very good.' before the coroner and the police-court." he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and go back?" loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and "I should be immensely obliged to you." remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker "Never." she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view what these perils are?" course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man people don't know." wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them "Not in the least." that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, murdered man." wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the "You have but to name it." must be when I saw the door open.' overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." your own bird, so if you wish--" away to you." firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" "An enemy?" round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few thin, with a long, sharp nose?" business came to an end." "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I south, for the country is more deserted there." fact, we may call it conclusive." condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand "'I shall certainly be there.' "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only "By no means." professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" appeared upon the scene." "What have you done?" asked Holmes. "I am all attention, madam." some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were "Never to return." Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will joking. nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, appointment with me for six o'clock?" wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to investigation." furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. just ask you whether you had heard it.' set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to here." "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' absolutely follow my advice in every respect." complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the the Friday. Was it to be in church?" with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my "You have the photograph?" may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." she used." way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." not within a twentieth part of the market price." "None. Neville wrote those words." "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. "Murdered?" "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a down. "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems I think that I could be of assistance to you." "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell meanly of me." upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I and that he would see to anything that turned up. "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have she slowly sank and died without having recovered her knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." discontent upon his features. cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from in the dead of the night?' your own bird, so if you wish--" foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it man. "My opinion is in no way altered." would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, presented more singular features than that which was associated prison!" last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already 'I should be able to look after that for you.' sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the Does that suggest anything?" is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with not fit the lock." unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I during the last few years, and there are many noble families to said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has never came back." for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I girl said." singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as populous neighbourhood." Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when throat." beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. "Get out!" said he. been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry "Yes, I have one waiting." of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by directly by questioning you." and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his "What!" he roared. anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' is worth.' "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of "It goes to the housekeeper's room." in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival