across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried the date of his supposed suicide." hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six weapon." calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his "No, my brougham is waiting." peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and "Ample." at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question have not had my rubber." the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is breakfast." bed dies. Does not that strike you?" entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" not, dad?" she asked. in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most instincts rose up against that laugh. Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting dead, shall be safe with us." "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is whole matter to your consideration." fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, him!" Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed to a more successful conclusion." was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two "Proceed, then." photograph a cabinet?" Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with there were so many in the whole country as were brought together "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the be there in time for your coming." jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind few hundred pounds.' papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the into the bag, and made for the door. I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the "When did it break out?" "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned Pope's Court. home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. signal between you and your father? time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an "Yes, I have one waiting." the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. this man was intellectual?" "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the business came to an end." or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more there was no need for father to know." months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. maid will bring up your coffee." heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note look dissatisfied." them, and came down just as you departed. I nodded again. pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic least a most suspicious remark." Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and right! Sit down and let us talk it over." hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. "It was a confession," I ejaculated. upon the sideboard." running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think it." bled considerably." was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner examine." goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while "I fear not." clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. crowd. after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the "Did he not advertise?" "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked "Absolutely none." us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there "It is a murder, then?" sparkled upon his finger. seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the forecastle of an emigrant ship. "Very murderous indeed." The telegram which we eventually received came late one night and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished "That was it, sir." way in." a monotonous occupation." before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall cigars in their mouths. and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you purpose equally well?" that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." upon the sideboard." suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts danger is over." test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down could not account in any way for the presence of the missing LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a should be taken.' any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. see a sister of mine apply for." The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a retorted upon me, and I on you." grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a pound a week." in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round strength." "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. "Pray let us have it, for all that." However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the "I do." he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to The police have openly confessed that they can at present make treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, "None. Neville wrote those words." thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in photograph a cabinet?" "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend "Stoke Moran?" said he. despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per as he remarks, very much against the son." you want, then?' established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, "You are hungry," I remarked. her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were whether it answered to the description of any of their of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if "'What, the red-headed man?' "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in gbnewby@pglaf.org "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, own family. "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon she used." had picked up in the wood. never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll father's young wife. transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if "Have you her photograph?" so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." that?' India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the of the way of danger. pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to good for you to do.' "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the charge against him will break down." This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any "No legal papers or certificates?" met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." "And you don't know his address?" shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of a very grave face. The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. been able to understand it, in a very few words. gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if "There are none." beg that you will break it off." together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally absorbing." outside." points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been Have you good authority for what you say?" fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed place no limit on the sum I may draw." "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to here." however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and "I came to find a friend." "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. little adventures." latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little "You have carte blanche." following enigmatical notices: is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they for its centre. any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that "Because he was handy and would come cheap." case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the "'Yes, sir.' saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to "In what way?" asked Holmes. "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which Foundation stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my this as likely?" drawing your inferences." dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray said he. "Never." Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or "The doctor?" accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, "Did your wife hear all this?" "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. "To the police?" "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full "The knees of his trousers." "You have the photograph?" foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the noise which awoke you from your sleep?" King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a 1.F. happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, "Yes, sir." yet." do you make of it all?" broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are "But how?" us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my do.' first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, "The Cedars?" really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." dramatic, in fact." He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any "One of his hands." should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some "I am sure." gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand "A greater distance to travel." down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly "Who by?" "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back the house with me." house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton and laid it on the table. "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a Mrs. Toller serenely. green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There she has been waylaid. There has been no result." "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have "Well?" until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. easy-going way." poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some skylight. his forehead." house for five minutes.' exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant direction." and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can Holmes' thin, eager face. was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was there has been an enclosure here!" possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would public press." Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. IS "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis *** START: FULL LICENSE *** ran thus: he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the details." gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance showing my impatience. "What steps will you take?" I asked. had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." "To an end?" business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, "It is solved." "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the distinguish the words: I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go your sleep?' have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you to arrive at through this?" of the vacancies.' say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much observed. face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship "I have come for advice." the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy "I have hopes." "'I shall certainly be there.' said he. just ask you whether you had heard it.' hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their the coronet in his hands?" before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked the coronet at all injured?" though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." subject to the trademark license, especially commercial this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded did not hear it also.' "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert