"How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever drawing your inferences." in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of ways of our fellow-men." tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just appeared upon the scene." out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when sound at heart." to-night." difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow returned to France?" "What of the rat, then?" in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about made him keep the appointment." station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to of the vacancies.' works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions Where does the thing come from?' whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private "Dirty?" little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of "Was the window open?" neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." "'Not at all. I only doubt--' one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? "'I am sure that I do not know.' it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." "No." who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, Holmes. stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. again." be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could in the dead of the night?' lectures into a series of tales." before the coroner and the police-court." feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, "None. Neville wrote those words." and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers you do it in twenty minutes!' Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over particular state visit http://pglaf.org bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" What do you deduce from it?" swore that no one else had been in the front room during the If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage "And how did you verify them?" nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. in this way: suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and "What is it, then--a fire?" Again Holmes raved in the air. "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't "That's no good." rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in "In answer to an advertisement." "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" away to you." "Which are?" it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to room had already been engaged for us. "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have and laid it on the table. and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few was feeling which was the fattest.' "'Quite sure, dad.' had a long day." furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the examine." unprecedented a position." Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is me upon any point which I do not make clear." hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" "But you were on a friendly footing?" "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from in the dead of the night?' instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will like gravel from a pit.' "How on earth--" this truth that in these little records of our cases which you assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I crime." He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a "It missed him, then?" 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire the coronet at all injured?" up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and "Yes." "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest "It looks newer than the other things?" manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient sneer upon his pale face. "Well, but China?" it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is not use it unless it is absolutely needed." and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. "Yes, there are nearly always some there." events, Mr. Windibank!" enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about "Pray let us have it, for all that." we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the "And did you observe any change in her then?" your billet.' the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it woman who has had her own way to make in the world. twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the better grown goose." post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is swore that no one else had been in the front room during the knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the "What then?" to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had matters immensely." my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you like that before?" "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just to tackle the facts." had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My heavy and sharp instrument." as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side of it with the greatest attention. have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his "Married! When?" meant it for the best. opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be will be renamed. "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite little adventures." green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and "May I see it?" sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is in the port of London." Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an face and glided from the room. probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. "On your arm?" finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his "Which are?" The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of the little opening for the ventilator is." go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was main points of my analysis." with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the his eyes and forehead. shall not find me ungrateful." is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander you." down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it "Which are?" you for a few hours?" "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I really the only notable feature about the thing." creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' the Assizes." about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the fear." smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was head. So long, then!" look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as my little problems." of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless all?" part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black "And your father? Did you tell him?" got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the your sleep?' Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of back into the street. interest. They are important, you understand, without being The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be "I cannot say that I have." subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day shaken than I had ever seen him. "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an "We were both in the photograph." put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass Countess of Morcar's?" downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier "'Where to?' the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the him. it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. good-night and bustled off upon her way. Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By "No, thank goodness, she did not." me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. "Now, then, what's the last entry?" trying to your nerves." form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm little adventures." pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person nonsense.' jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I thin legs towards the fire. "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black wall." vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was of the way of danger. first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his gone. you, my dear young lady?' beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from "And did you observe any change in her then?" "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and completely overtopped every other consideration that we both "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow him to go away.' anything to do with the matter?" think, you have already met." jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from "'Not at all. I only doubt--' "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, electronic works we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. read over the extraordinary announcement. vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that "10th. John Swain cleared. "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a strength." them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that in. with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The newspaper selections." silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of Holmes." "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his husband's writing, madam." "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. thirty. word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or our word." didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it never will be, entirely cleared up. very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and From what you have told me I think that it is possible that parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most to that open window." When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his forbidden door. "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said "How many? I don't know." should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But train.' Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through lamp in his hand. a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some distance from the station, and there we found the young lady morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door cause to be." "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London "None." signal between you and your father? "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, washing it down with a long draught of water. "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime "One of the highest in England." As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is should be taken.' her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his morning." there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you clang of the bell. made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. crackling voice. pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the "'Ample.' which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a fasten all the windows?" were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who have accepted such a situation. the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for