those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and trifles." was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses that I may have something better before very many minutes are could not have written that. It is the German who is so "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. breakfast?" on re-entering her father's house?" some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, "At half-wages, in fact." in my life." was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good "Yes, sir." have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed Arthur Conan Doyle "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, during which he might have communicated with his friend the very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, your bag." "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she light and attacked it." There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of "This concluded the examination of the witness." and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at cigars in their mouths. observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking matter." seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you nothing of it?" however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, had a long day." seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue "Quite so. She has her freedom." Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, kindly on the shoulder. the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the I think that I could be of assistance to you." This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it "In what way?" asked Holmes. summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a "No bad?" "'Certainly not.' trying to your nerves." stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could "'What, the red-headed man?' this poor creature." what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. and I shall be with you presently." "You horrify me." inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and "Yes, I have one waiting." "Game for a morning drive?" this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down "None." from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is young Openshaw's." outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one "To the police?" villagers almost as much as their master. neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I she slowly sank and died without having recovered her "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and tension within him. "Was she in good spirits?" with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter "One of the highest in England." and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the night.' said he. province." more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he ago." probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it way in." "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. of receipt of the work. "I cannot imagine." his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and God! What an exposure! What can I do?" had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich was lame." of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman characteristics, but those are the more obvious." took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist to talk it over. science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all "Pray do so." "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five unkempt, staring out at me. "No." red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" "'A dozen yards or so.' had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently You can understand that this register and diary may implicate to some other building. "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be "Come in!" said Holmes. brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very "'Not at all. I only doubt--' that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources maid will bring up your coffee." at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" "I should like to see him very much." life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and "I am sure." gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and "It is half-past ten now." "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you main points of my analysis." however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face public press." imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but noting anything else of interest. the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the "How can you tell that?" his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out "I say that I have solved it." "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to charge against him will break down." and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had "But it has twice been burgled." Countess of Morcar's?" "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his Young McCarthy must be got off, however." Leadenhall Street--and--" A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." done what I asked you, Jones?" "But she could not love him." "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they "He disappeared so suddenly." despaired of." tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left him to go away.' "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" might help us?" "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, and no precautions can guard against." You can understand that this register and diary may implicate fishes. LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's even of instruction." Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most face and glided from the room. "'Entirely.' standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, "No, I am descending." unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had British peeress.'" which was all perfectly true. Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical "Holmes, the busybody!" Foundation forebodings. over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. the warnings." the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he the general public were present, then?" Eyford." "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which question you as to those details which seem to me to be most had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder crackling voice. enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been "If I can be of use." The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." "Stoke Moran?" said he. following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which speckled band?" were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a "I say that I have solved it." up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought the coronet in his hand?" whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his instituted." 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman and looked back. at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in eat it." country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be pity, because in other respects you would really have done very "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real families. Now for the facts. and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort man. I know him from the photograph." word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door was a perfect sample of the class. "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined "Yes, I have one waiting." the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the "We must sit without light. He would see it through the "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a and your relations to her." has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am bird I ate is country bred." "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure correct than the official force." prepare for the new role I have to play." "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms client, rising. "I don't say that. Perhaps." "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and bearing upon the case." contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable me what he had done with the three missing stones. dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some "The best possible." glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then back to my heart. emerged. "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the I nodded to show that I had heard. Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of photograph?" "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will the King without delay." cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had my room." his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that you." of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down even so self-evident a thing as that." footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus "I say that I have solved it." "I say that I have solved it." "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage his fortune, and I went back to pa. slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, read it out to me." although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the "No." strange features which were associated with the two crimes which with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed held up the lantern and gazed about him. "It certainly sounds feasible." and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must "To the police?" chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. just ask you whether you had heard it.' "Come in!" said he. corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him,