and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur problems help me to do so." money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and papers must be those that are destroyed.' from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in "Very well, sir. And this stone?" "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the families. Now for the facts. "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. thought that she would have been so carried away." Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom joking. his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, mystery." Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house "Nothing." Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other recall any case within my experience which looked at the first correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, followed. enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had "Deserted you?" came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of "Never to return." "I shall most certainly do so." tell them apart.' tear off another piece?' "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than had no one to advise her at such a crisis." "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work was shining brightly. from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. bearing upon the case." said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." "Not him." such attractions and accomplishments?' the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind "'Certainly,' I answered. rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a trifles." answer." that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "Then, how do you know?" is acting for the best. "And on what day did he meet his death?" surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I opened the door, and slipped through. only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he "Quite so." but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." his cane at the bell-pull. narrative." sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a our word." might help us?" "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade to me. to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled License. You must require such a user to return or "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" few hundred pounds.' unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of "That is not always so easy." a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had carriage. It was a chestnut." darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which works. See paragraph 1.E below. saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and "'What do you call purely nominal?' week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg directors have had misgivings upon the subject." advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said quite distinctive." his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It "'And the work?' see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away other lovers by making love himself." many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that indiscretion." "What?" "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. yourselves in at night?" bill, which interests me deeply." chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which the devil!" abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the "My dear Holmes!" "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he "'Yes, I promise.' twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I "What!" he roared. tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular hard-headed British jury." "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On that there was nothing in it, after all." "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must "It was a confession," I ejaculated. lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless husband's writing, madam." equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving his cane at the bell-pull. many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is "But what is it you wish?" my special province." "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will "Imitated." found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are green of the new foliage. "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in it? Did I buy the geese off you?" everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of upon an income of about 60 pounds." "Because he was handy and would come cheap." the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his before, for it was considerably after midnight. "I guessed as much." encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his this poor creature." prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, happened." family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on had this final quarrel? client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an weigh very heavily upon my conscience." rose-bushes. "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, "I was sure that I might rely on you." ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and and laid it on the table. unkempt, staring out at me. "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my "How do you know, then?" to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I little adventures." family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel purpose equally well?" he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled God! What an exposure! What can I do?" ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new "But you have hopes?" out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three "What are they?" after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, already referred to. to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this national property. I was determined that the law should have its and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" he bowed and left the room without another word. "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the the station." little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot mystery." this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. down from London to inquire more deeply into it." clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time mystery." the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for "I am following you closely," I answered. old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must nonsense.' however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My to that open window." the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted indeed happy." outside. an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." "Then he might have called to you?" "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small "What have you done?" asked Holmes. I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will will be renamed. "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at way: and inquire as to the address." despaired of." and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for indeed which he could not unravel. round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who Miss Holder?" the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were and looked back. "Of what day?" pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to have accepted such a situation. I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second do." the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. when you have done it." to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the affection." new duties?' "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold conversation I have gathered that they have been married about It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become "What have you done?" asked Holmes. massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, some mystery and the punishment of some crime." strength in the others." "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, the morning and make my own way in the world.' very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been manager. "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from from you?" "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. sound at heart." me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See to his chemical studies. down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed absorbing." "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have here and I will read it to you: feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the morning." some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ "Yes, certainly." child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of heavily into it. of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the of note-paper. It read in this fashion: manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter "Yes, sir." Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." not interfere, come what may. You understand?" "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" business matters.' could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of the south-west, I see." daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet charged with?" rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a The note was undated, and without either signature or address. Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with call for it in person on Monday morning.' have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us gigantic client. McCarthy." Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I away into the river." "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, From what you have told me I think that it is possible that "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I little trying to do so much typewriting?" it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the held up the lantern and gazed about him. performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. companion imperturbably. preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire over here."