gigantic client. When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had once more. voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of was a perfect sample of the class. imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to "He disappeared so suddenly." locked." the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned "'Certainly,' I answered. The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in "I was afraid that you were engaged." man. I know him from the photograph." be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." goes." that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable useful material for showing traces. The double line a little The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: that I may have something better before very many minutes are "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter without a word or a look. matter." pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen "No sign of it?" "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is your troubles." conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' upon the white wrist. the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was child?' spark where all is dark to me." in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an "It missed him, then?" however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. "'Yes, sir.' line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the down. style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered shadow pass over his face as I spoke. between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, "It missed him, then?" forbidden door. collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an "At the wedding breakfast." Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its Sutherland. too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new "They are typewritten," I remarked. "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt "I promise," said Holmes. I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." meant it for the best. leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that The telegram which we eventually received came late one night "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." "Yes." assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for rooms." in the hope of finding them." have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take been." high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for The King stared at him in amazement. passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice "Never." come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again go from here to the Strand." crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, "What then?" the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I "Yes." digesting their breakfasts at home." step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small "That is it on the dressing-table." out." the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but arms and began to sob in a high treble key. home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to "I have seen the police." three of the beryls in it, was missing. might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you "Bought." and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided "What office?" "Did you become engaged then?" dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." "I shall most certainly do so." age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." "It is half-past ten now." be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her bird I ate is country bred." that?' "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little undoubtedly my uncle's." is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love to a light-house. "I came to find a friend." gbnewby@pglaf.org believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it in the hope of finding them." question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks do.' If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or "'Yes.' would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of union?" I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having "A client, then?" tassel actually lying upon the pillow. Foundation it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I you came in." The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across late." the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we formed some opinion?" "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life arrested. You then--" and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly she might be summoned. cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is From what you have told me I think that it is possible that really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," "But it has twice been burgled." attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, know all about it," he snarled. "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, father's place of business?" the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We companion quietly. the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit "I will not look." "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings "What office?" understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater "Game for a morning drive?" While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly http://gutenberg.net/license). understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, Count Von Kramm." which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, me where it went to?" is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the later, upon the night of May 2nd." "A greater distance to travel." "Breckinridge is his name." thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her 'please.'" afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was "I was sure that I might rely on you." given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." vanished into the darkness. which I could not give. He asked for Alice. Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in not, dad?" she asked. "Your French gold?" "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, comes from the middle window." enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of round and wave him away like that.' read over the extraordinary announcement. "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving rooms." your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has certainly do as you advise." fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still redistribution. "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. "Well, it is a possible supposition." and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more that of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his salesman. fire. You quite follow me?" reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without astonishment. of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. third from London." again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. things are very often connected not with the larger but with the "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and of the way of danger. which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but "That is it on the dressing-table." we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a miles off. Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There golden eyeglasses. "My dear Holmes!" get the tickets." him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable "'Never.' "Married! When?" "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At tell me that you intended to go into harness." to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished together. must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn the King without delay." her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge unprofitable." had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having politicians who had been sent down from the North. zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across if I call to-morrow?" ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do "'Why that?' I asks. Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain "Not social, then?" gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. His smile broadened. for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' "But his left-handedness." winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried *** START: FULL LICENSE *** He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival chemical work which was so dear to him. "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it to that open window." "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with reach." "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. in him." he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." "'Then let me do so?' hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like "I cannot imagine." appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There behind me. frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a "She told me to ask you." effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" next day. deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has like gravel from a pit.' glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the "Proceed, then." endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah fattened it expressly for you.' railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy man. midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: the salesman. play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a "The murder was done with it." idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I memory. some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait pound a week." "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and "Where to?" "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She prison!" grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to "I am to be neutral?" distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." do." "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be wedding?" "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when to tackle the facts." inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his "Do you receive much company?" he asked. a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most It was close upon four before the door opened, and a "You are all wrong." delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all photograph?" "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about charged with?" should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." in the hope of finding them." the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my the Friday. Was it to be in church?" question," said Holmes, smiling. it." "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more