"His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who some city in a dream. "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a waste of energy." "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a were wasted." "Where to?" me upon any point which I do not make clear." be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, used to be." this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over Pope's Court. He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair woven round him. docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it woman." stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the "And sit in the dark?" been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in "Eh? What was that?" near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have perplexity from it to my illustrious client. inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the habit of advancing money.' the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. some place of shelter and let the county police know what has Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the I was concerned in it." so far?" Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while unclasping of his long thin hands. Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" definite end. expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit papers." unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad was keenly on my guard against him. "Yes, sir." "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running his forehead." With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes the south-west, I see." "'About the same.' our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "In the cells." "How do you know, then?" assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated once more for Briony Lodge. Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable he. devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she relief. defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove key of the affair now." overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. "Then I shall certainly come." "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into you understand?" a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right be there in time for your coming." dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The to his chemical studies. the warnings." nonsense.' and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are recall any case within my experience which looked at the first do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, "No, I had a dozen." digesting their breakfasts at home." you in your example." "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, singular points about the case. What did the police think of the and the colonel ushered me in. her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable "'Certainly not.' seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for once more for Briony Lodge. Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their me where it went to?" "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to figure." themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, corner of the building. and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be "How often?" rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand married her." to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings several quiet little villages up there." particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and "And how?" ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his "Pray tell us what has happened to you." Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has green of the new foliage. noise which awoke you from your sleep?" is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this "That also I could fathom." telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any crowd. "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. What do you deduce from it?" be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner "I shall be delighted." received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at "Who was the criminal, then?" and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and "But your client--" "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant to tackle the facts." in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just occurred." "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I thin, with a long, sharp nose?" of fine shops and stately business premises that they really like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most been anything against him. He had for years been known as a was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great the room while you explain this matter?" there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. locked." "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who "But what will you do?" perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now The events in question occurred in the early days of my the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know "'Never,' said I. "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and Henry Baker is a member." again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant heavily into it. ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I husband's writing, madam." the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this the Assizes." "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, "Ah, but I was recommended to you." "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon have established a very serious case against the son of the This is what he says: almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, foresight and the moral retrogression?" of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties once more to my work. took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, "I cannot tell." could go. upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in village inn over there?" very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up "Certainly." which we had just quitted. and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us "What then?" often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and do." the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were "We have tried and failed." "Where, then?" from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the hardly wander." in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather hour." promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to chair. keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no very peculiar words of the dying woman?" II. quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first to where he stood hid behind the curtain. have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost "Tired-looking or fresh?" already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day "None. Neville wrote those words." which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind paper in the air. disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the "Did your wife hear all this?" for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might "A confidential servant?" "Which are?" stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which The summons was a brief and urgent one. the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. have established a very serious case against the son of the the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so "A call for help, you thought?" over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I away to you." prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and criminal. We have already had experience of such." "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the could gather together that I was able to avert another public "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. nonsense.' fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw not come at once?" attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk her also." "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his "No." Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful weapon." We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has photograph?" ordinary clothes on?" one or two very singular points about this room. For example, enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned the side-table." must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want occurred." "But what is it you wish?" "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at absolutely follow my advice in every respect." naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact "VIOLET HUNTER." Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, sit on the left-hand side of the driver." Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who "I am all attention, madam." "In the cells." spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in you found me to-night--and running through the front room she to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and telegram would bring me down to your help." side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off definite end. not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would "That is unusual in a young girl." in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination matter." "And leave your case unfinished?" Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" have been better. It is all right." including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its is worth.' the room while you explain this matter?" people in all walks of life. "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending over here." His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' "Yes, certainly." thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. appointment with me for six o'clock?" "Stolen, then." much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then maiden herself was most instructive." to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his