"This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be "You have the photograph?" "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black floor. "I do." "And you thought he was pulled back?" of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We gives a meaning to it." grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." clang of the bell. week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from to-morrow." the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from intimate personal affairs in this public manner." "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to me. You must get home instantly and act." from you?" here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you "My Mary? Impossible!" "I warn you that they are very incomplete." It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" jewels which you have stolen?' excitement. child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always "Witness: Nothing definite. dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they "We must sit without light. He would see it through the "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. me where it went to?" clanging. We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." "No more words. Get out!" myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and to affect your life." "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." had died away into the silence from which it rose. still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." there." of Mr. Rucastle's." the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his "At half-wages, in fact." usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the to affect your life." He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's "What will you do, then?" The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my imbecility!" he cried. "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the quickly through a disagreeable task. subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the "But what harm can there be in that?" there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution events than those which have happened in my own family." British peeress.'" "No." letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close behind me. "At the wedding breakfast." Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely "Here?" the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building thin legs towards the fire. "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself but preventing her from injuring another. eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door "My dear Holmes!" headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled "I should like to see him very much." Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the three of the beryls in it, was missing. twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." "Holmes, the busybody!" upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from shall not find me ungrateful." pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and was a loud and authoritative tap. upon a handsome competence. no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. "Do you go out much in society?" matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is that he has suffered." "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, "At half-wages, in fact." while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy It was close upon four before the door opened, and a the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, to have been novel and of interest." details." SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of some water from a caraffe. "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about this remarkable episode. "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a "Do you go out much in society?" gone. it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the if she died from some sudden fright." "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. humiliation." been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. "It is solved." "Yes." ill-usage at the hands of fortune. "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be for securing the situation." I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from visitors." so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, pound a week." dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under very peculiar words of the dying woman?" transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should "Was the window open?" threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. "Well, but China?" "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little colour had been driven from his face. "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. sufficient punishment." events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when "It is true that I have been generally successful." one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind as noiselessly as she had come. to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his the dangers which encompass me." "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself appeal." house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is "Witness: I must still refuse. been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 "Will you go?" This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time the matter?" suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the strength in the others." here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a into her hand at the door and which lured her within their her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical "Quite so." to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally "Then, how do you know?" that?' to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by had picked up in the wood. its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed ready to-morrow?' circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir least a fellow-countryman. "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up "No more words. Get out!" "Where is it, then?" in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her hand, madam?" relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; enter Dr. Roylott's room." utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across "I cannot imagine." "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to upon the white wrist. fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." it? Did I buy the geese off you?" known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, disappearance of these gems?" from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and in this note: "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, conceal it?" will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the brain must have something in it." dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he to a more successful conclusion." prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. "Pray do so." staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had "You have it, sir, just as it happened." really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and speckled band?" beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was certainly not very gracious." month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which said I. but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be "And you can do nothing until then?" "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. tension within him. allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she that you wished to speak to me?' myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always may have an influence upon European history." most interesting one." you, my dear young lady?' with you?" I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and "And what did you see?" vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left into the bag, and made for the door. "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. have one." surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I that you wished to speak to me?' coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the constraint." closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his and it need not interfere very much with one's other sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin very morning of my second wedding." was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being standing smiling on the door-step. "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant matter over." Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may "'I am sure if I had known--' side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for washing it down with a long draught of water. beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, shall not find me ungrateful." photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might invisible to me," I remarked. pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him opportunities to fix the problem. make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke "Pray do so." "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable "Perfectly so." "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, "'Tell me all about it,' said I. "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, you." crime." that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very she to prove their authenticity?" of a light. to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by showing my impatience. my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." not come at once?" keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. one which it was hard to resist. had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are "The knees of his trousers." The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' and shall probably return to London by the evening train." my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a "But what harm can there be in that?" Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached appeal." snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we I am not easy in my mind about them." stepfather?" time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique writing, and yet I know it well." freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been "On Monday." "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran "The rest you will leave in our hands." hereditary King of Bohemia." were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more "I don't say that. Perhaps." caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank "I never have." deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, this as likely?" mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother "Yes, from Horsham." companion. "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in of his shoulders. lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions of the way of danger. he. character. "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were appointment with me for six o'clock?" "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, lumber-room." photograph?" "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father even of instruction." you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was "I should like to see him very much." intrusion of other matters." morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." "I shall most certainly do so." forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the that the gas is not laid on in his house?" confronted him. reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way silent! Oh, he will be silent!' reach." When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. the stable lane now." over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you handed it to him. knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to "ARAT," I read. bears upon the case?" money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the