"It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, fasten all the windows?" could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" "Yes." out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their "Yes, it would be as well." fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of unprofitable." "In San Francisco, a year ago." "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in now. It seems that there had been some informality about their speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" "'Is 4 pounds a week.' The note was undated, and without either signature or address. the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with "Did you become engaged then?" "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was presented more singular features than that which was associated direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her "How did you deduce the select?" slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which one's self under obligations.' re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into in his power. remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing "'Most admirably.' "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and Count Von Kramm." country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he conduct the inquiry." "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter in the dead of the night?' questionable one." "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said "And when will you call?" her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The "Her father is very rich?" "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the door?" "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage "I say it is." "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself "You did not overhear what they said?" lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." II. and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite "Certainly, madam." be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as "Where, indeed?" "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel "There are none." Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from man. column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent "You think so, too?" I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the "Witness: I must still refuse. "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said "No, my brougham is waiting." "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an you." The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away way: to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent to a more successful conclusion." address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, nonsense.' of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no over here." have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set nothing with him." ventilator." the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we "And I say east," said my patient. not use it unless it is absolutely needed." office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by outside." buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at the dangers which encompass me." lectures into a series of tales." how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite "By no means." fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I despaired of." guilty parties." "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two to-night?" I asked. Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have "Who was the criminal, then?" "I don't believe it." "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your the address that was given us in the advertisement. who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made the very morning of the wedding." man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his people in all walks of life. "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' your troubles." doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for means taking possession of that which another person has a prior girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my "No, I am descending." question. "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your a room. "Pray let us have it, for all that." corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. "No?" Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." and I shall be with you presently." are windows in it, of course?" her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and not within a twentieth part of the market price." was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion even of instruction." of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham overpowering excitement and concern. disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me "None." "What will you say?" at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. "'Quite sure, dad.' Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit Leadenhall Street--and--" Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself "Which are?" and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a in the hope of finding them." "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had his fortune, and I went back to pa. entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." "I will, Miss Turner." it right.' scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of will not take me long to tell. "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." not interfere, come what may. You understand?" on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said away into the river." little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It "Do you receive much company?" he asked. of it with the greatest attention. took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key system of imprisonment?" send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the been." "Very murderous indeed." at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it might have a private word with us. this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the copied or distributed: Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. said he. a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me to that open window." The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the where she found matters as described by the last witness. him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall "What steps will you take?" I asked. analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger "No, I am descending." ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite use an arc-and-compass breastpin." smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his results." moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it breakfast." "Did he not advertise?" cause to be." thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote go back?" us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there with her." a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat Holmes." he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without instincts rose up against that laugh. corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I "It looks newer than the other things?" "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite papers must be those that are destroyed.' "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of "No." begun to whiten, even as mine has." "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in your most interesting statement." old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be His smile broadened. sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know pity, because in other respects you would really have done very less than 26s. 4d. low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be "'You cannot say what it was?' happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see "I saw her in conversation with her maid." Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended "Not social, then?" "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of his face which made him a very different person to the round, glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." fish-monger and a tide-waiter." an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I it? Did I buy the geese off you?" errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy families. Now for the facts. all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the "I came to find a friend." Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that "Yes." the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom "Eh? What was that?" "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. have I gained?" hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner "You heard nothing yourself last night?" feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." think, you have already met." "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose business?" "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. answer." vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I "You think that he is dead?" Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments showing my impatience. handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be "Get out!" said he. "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting there were one or two details which were new to me. But the voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he where she found matters as described by the last witness. "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, writers could invent nothing more crude." sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He recall any case within my experience which looked at the first what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working "Why did you beat the pavement?" "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It your equipment. "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is woman who has had her own way to make in the world. in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need "No." tapping his fingers upon the table. ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow "You'll never persuade me to believe that." WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the think, you have already met." across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried felt the room to be a little close.' ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could the best of training." shoulder. paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, nothing of it?" "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go in. He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, towards the blaze. body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking