Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you "I was sure that I might rely on you." "Yes, sir." "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more indiscretion." the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the congenial hunt. "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he as he remarks, very much against the son." as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much careless servant girl?" said he. metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg paper in the air. that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly way: then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a "We must have a cab." have been better. It is all right." far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, what I may call a really hard day's work." my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a "'What are you doing there?' he asked. and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain few hundred pounds.' "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and morning." not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at "'Which dealer's?' narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. happened." "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to "Was she in good spirits?" his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not "It is very clear." we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she against a man in the prime of life?" she slowly sank and died without having recovered her "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which Holmes' room. remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, himself to tell his story. "'Yes, sir.' ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There envelope. casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. article?" "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United of his shoulders. "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, purpose of examination. years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in for the market.' me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind carpenter." at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much had this final quarrel? "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the sooner or later she must fall a victim. Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and fashion which was peculiar to him. thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' distance from the station, and there we found the young lady practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment cup of tea. incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as that the gas is not laid on in his house?" "How long did she speak to this Alice?" a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a "Is he quiet?" Street. "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and jewels which you have stolen?' subject to the trademark license, especially commercial his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found good-night and bustled off upon her way. there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at union?" aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the "How do you know, then?" hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the beg that you will break it off." the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and bonnet, and went out." greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad advice." "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the bled considerably." "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year better grown goose." examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but down. "'Very good.' she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending see a sister of mine apply for." "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new cigar and let me expound." he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found down from London to inquire more deeply into it." even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' writing, and yet I know it well." was feeling which was the fattest.' (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all could go. plantation.' paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as "This photograph!" "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable of your young ladies.' relief. not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door searched, without anything being found which could incriminate "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg prisoner's face. wedding?" keep the flames under. Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged "Then I do not see the point." learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for directors have had misgivings upon the subject." and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing simple cases which are so extremely difficult." open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment and the church but not where the lady lived." he died? points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and of receipt of the work. "Dark enough and sinister enough." already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed "But how did you gain them?" repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you you." black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a "Ha! you find it so?" for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all swore that no one else had been in the front room during the the matter." key of the affair now." are windows in it, of course?" "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar British peeress.'" it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit weapon." a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' nonsense.' accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly new duties?' exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could long narrative. face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The "If I can be of use." air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the awkward doing business with an alias." "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had "He slept on the premises." stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. strength in the others." arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the "And what did you learn from him?" "In San Francisco, a year ago." could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it "I answered that I had not. death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' look upon these things in a different way." possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross it." comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men I took the paper from him and read as follows: say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is brought there to personate someone, and the real person is "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, was keenly on my guard against him. him and tried to hold him back. looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, Clair, of Lee." determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary *** START: FULL LICENSE *** too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming fire. You quite follow me?" follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and "No, I am descending." think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all Dr. Gregory B. Newby without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand more solid." home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side retorted upon me, and I on you." "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless a monotonous occupation." The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." the south-west, I see." astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my never came back." "He said that you could solve anything." throat." with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the served to weaken the effect. surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from 11:15.' Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" "'How far from the body?' "Was there a secret marriage?" butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." "I never have." "You have compromised yourself seriously." facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the meant it for the best. the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." "The murder was done with it." As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a again." typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. "Why serious?" squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in is acting for the best. the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an "And from a noble client?" Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at "Upon what point?" dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately paper in the air. where Mr. Fordham shows you.' "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, during the last few years, and there are many noble families to "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My one of the states of the Union." she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At get the tickets." safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which suddenly upon us." again before evening." time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy with her." night.' said he. sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. help us in this matter." "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me o'clock is it?" society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." "It certainly sounds feasible." abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?"