"I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the quick march!" only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and question," said Holmes, smiling. Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to "The rest you will leave in our hands." "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." to talk it over. "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining "Ten will be early enough." The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating thought that she would have been so carried away." the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit him. "I should like to see him very much." letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your "May I see it?" "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no promised to bring home. rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few "On the contrary, this is the right side." hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and "Oh, the cause is excellent!" residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a "I should like to see him very much." "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the with the outside air!" indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known frequently gained my first real insight into the character of Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how are windows in it, of course?" pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his entirely lost his self-respect." recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you question. was it brought him the coronet? and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the "I say it is." continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such looking up at the numbers of the houses." you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too "That sounds a little paradoxical." character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that gbnewby@pglaf.org set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the trying to your nerves." "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in "In the cells." on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands "No, thank goodness, she did not." "I am still in the dark." as he remarks, very much against the son." sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the foresight and the moral retrogression?" "A greater distance to travel." me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they "I will not look." "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him goes." hard-headed British jury." stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an "Not yet." it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in one which it was hard to resist. "But of what society?" to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from "How did you trace it, then?" very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My "To the police?" and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you "Because he was handy and would come cheap." the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. "You have it, sir, just as it happened." "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very said he at last. what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up "Entirely." together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan you for a few hours?" perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite the general public were present, then?" "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate problems help me to do so." "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a of note-paper. It read in this fashion: morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I and that he would see to anything that turned up. of Mr. Rucastle's." "Yes, sir." yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black "I saw her in conversation with her maid." great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." yards of it?' In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, taking in every detail of the apartment. "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to "It certainly sounds feasible." leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should the night.' License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" upon the shelf for the interim." I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then new acquaintance to Baker Street. and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until "I see many objections to any such theory." the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation some water from a caraffe. people don't know." the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which "Witness: It was. "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah some mystery and the punishment of some crime." that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that God! What an exposure! What can I do?" go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we to-morrow." during the last few years, and there are many noble families to your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the weigh very heavily upon my conscience." I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his "And I say east," said my patient. once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think learned something! Where are the gems?" humiliation." "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend face and glided from the room. say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up strange features which were associated with the two crimes which A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated "It is no ordinary one." shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from ceremony." The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of means taking possession of that which another person has a prior sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to was not a bird to be seen there. answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. "'Oh, no.' Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing thought that she would have been so carried away." own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you with frightened eyes at his accuser. gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," "You don't mind breaking the law?" no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That "Did you observe the colour?" "Proceed, then." want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the writers could invent nothing more crude." the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled Clair, of Lee." the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her words came to my lips. Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and "Pray do so." Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to gives a meaning to it." double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the "The landlord of the Alpha." like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were him. but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the to-night?' The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting criminal. We have already had experience of such." "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no "You have carte blanche." I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof "I never have." coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the him, that man would not have given me such complete information will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are stepfather?" 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either gbnewby@pglaf.org Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who hurried by. enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had the salesman. and the colonel ushered me in. begin with, and I had not got mine yet." The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. the armchair which I pushed forward for him. dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I late." two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to acquaintance?" Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate public press." "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. "But what harm can there be in that?" over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. "Upon what point?" would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear the coronet in his hands?" good for you to do.' "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at goes." as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by "'What, the red-headed man?' the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the "'Then let me do so?' Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three very old mansion. which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. I. buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman fish-monger and a tide-waiter." word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." never to learn it at all." "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I said Mr. Holder. "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire is four-and-twenty." leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding "Seven!" I answered. right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge disappearance of the bride.'" extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall breakfast?" what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do "What do you make of that, Watson?" better grown goose." my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so Have you good authority for what you say?" "No. What a strange idea!" his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the someone who had been in Australia." "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged go from here to the Strand." said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door or in danger--" "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls examination of the premises, but without finding anything which impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the "Whose house is it?" money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of "Perhaps I have." scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" of fine shops and stately business premises that they really "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun crime. "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you might help us?" strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium "He slept on the premises." mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two money should be paid at once.' tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was paper in the air. came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help least a fellow-countryman. "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most