"Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from John Swain, of St. Augustine. awkward doing business with an alias." 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and Where does the thing come from?' me." "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from "My opinion is in no way altered." not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the have had none more fantastic than this." phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' had picked up in the wood. and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give ceremony." address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, "'And what salary do you ask?' Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any "What is it, then--a fire?" the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect opportunities to fix the problem. and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One the warnings." asked. they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of "Well, but China?" this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, brandy and water within his reach. license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that points in connection with it which never have been, and probably remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a dramatic, in fact." charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I "You know me, then?" was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your "Yes." Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. purpose equally well?" was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting "Because he was handy and would come cheap." week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be joking. "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "Ample." We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he was used.' have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal bell. Holmes whistled. "'Oh, no.' that you saw all that I did." unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and "Which surely he restored to their owner?" scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire off." "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was suspect him." At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you "But I am all in the dark." the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in the stones. these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" to-night?' have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid which it had come upon my father." space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case I shall communicate with you." "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very the running down." think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the this as likely?" fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. "You did not overhear what they said?" lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a think you a quite exceptional woman." place no limit on the sum I may draw." call the police, let the police find what they can.' that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was my little problems." much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them "Holmes, the busybody!" with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. during the last few years, and there are many noble families to came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were better in every way that they should make their position a little inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called "No more words. Get out!" broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to "Why did you beat the pavement?" upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed "A thing like a cleaver," said he. contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was awkward doing business with an alias." "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old "But what is it you wish?" ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all test if we have an answer to our advertisement." whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. I nodded to show that I had heard. pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be "We were both in the photograph." case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during matter." description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "Frequently." he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, tail." stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last disturbance in my wife." five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk "I think that I had better go, Holmes." from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to "'Is 4 pounds a week.' box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, at home. is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the if I call to-morrow?" upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate off." "Absolutely none." now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but straightened it out again. article?" that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if carried out of court." But Holmes shook his head gravely. hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. which our visitor detailed to us. "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be photograph a cabinet?" "It is possible." told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you friends, not even his own brother. still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover of campaign. "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a "It may not come to that," said Holmes. and that he would see to anything that turned up. that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes problems help me to do so." "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not front of me. convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. few hundred pounds.' "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of letters?" "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. fatally injured? learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an "Dr. Becher's." suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House strode off upon his way. surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I about. Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. "And how have you succeeded?" "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the Again Holmes raved in the air. "Ah!" believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not the coronet at all injured?" a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I "Certainly." "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must "Yes." playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any "Come in!" said he. very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the it were putty." relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United "In San Francisco, a year ago." Miss Holder?" transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, recover the gem." "'What are you doing there?' he asked. outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm "Have you it here?" remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no the coronet at all injured?" where Mr. Fordham shows you.' almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a maid will bring up your coffee." note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, DAMAGE. and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him clanging. office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a "I was mad--insane." "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. back alive. shall not find me ungrateful." myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was at my own good fortune. His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to strong reason behind." signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or married her." "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second everything which you would wish to know." you do it in twenty minutes!' difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they side. "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear "At what time?" fattened it expressly for you.' faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE less than 26s. 4d. chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat article?" apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom over his head with a sweet womanly caress. really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed "An accident, I presume?" "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, his grey eyes. think that any burglar could have done. but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some I have it here in my museum." reach." and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in get her out of the way." so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps to arrive at through this?" "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long their singular warning or token before them when starting upon Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I stammered. and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same then?" a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check "Never." them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works the Friday. Was it to be in church?" "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had "Of what day?" should be so warm over such a trifle." time." from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project "You have but to name it." had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I everything which you would wish to know." "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the "No, finished." must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I some mystery and the punishment of some crime." swore that no one else had been in the front room during the Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. highroad, where all traces were lost. "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a "And I." look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in "Yesterday." intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of hereditary King of Bohemia." "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of "Did your wife hear all this?" and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His remarked. "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she be best to do. thirty. serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months envelope. Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned "'Ten to two.' "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six the driver. "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' "Yes. He waved his hands." planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the