Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is "'You cannot say what it was?' states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had "What do you make of that, Watson?" "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your of your young ladies.' in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated bearing upon the case." "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more with you?" revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your Eyford." "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your "Bought." hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work will he say when he returns?" hour?' "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. his eyes and forehead. "Ample." http://gutenberg.net/license). hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had his eyes and forehead. "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off what is your own theory as to what took place?" wall." shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled you found me to-night--and running through the front room she roused himself from his reverie. feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. allusion to a rat. "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the Surrey." been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who "The King of Scandinavia." "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in "But what harm can there be in that?" the side-table." comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to Pope's Court, Fleet Street." investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use pierced for earrings?" the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's everything which you would wish to know." seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss she slowly sank and died without having recovered her and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When to arrive at through this?" "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our be best to do. like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But giving me time to thank him. He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. "'And the work?' dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. a very grave face. Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey completely overtopped every other consideration that we both he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know good-night and bustled off upon her way. shaken than I had ever seen him. considering the formidable letters which were received by himself constraint." one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that "'No, I know no one in these parts.' With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. "Yes, it would be as well." docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been the room while you explain this matter?" understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read "But how will you look?" "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were if only as a check to my own memory." gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps threw himself down with his face to the pillow. yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. coroner's jury." plantation.' miles off. "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. "What, then, did Peterson do?" I was concerned in it." "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the least a fellow-countryman. number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to you understand?" he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is not as remarkable as your advertisement." reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, behind me. "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That strode off upon his way. such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were "Breckinridge is his name." "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under business in the City. She little knew what. many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, residence of the great financier. villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he "I do." nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, Where does the thing come from?' comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious sneer upon his pale face. which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return "I warn you that they are very incomplete." The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet "I know where it is." this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." his knees, staring into the fire. what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a "Seven!" I answered. depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to back into the street. ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, upon the sideboard." convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover into her hand at the door and which lured her within their "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming "Did you become engaged then?" "Yes." step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." "I don't believe it." http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the bell. Holmes whistled. four million human beings all jostling each other within the adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the "What do you make of that, Watson?" intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then country, and eventually married, without anyone having a sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." upon the sideboard." The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock will take you up to see the machine.' like gravel from a pit.' homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon certainly do as you advise." Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black "I cannot imagine." "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I "No." "Yes." are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low "But how did you gain them?" prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, you." McCarthy's innocence. them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My "'You cannot say what it was?' between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the "And I say east," said my patient. opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure my room." presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's seven miles from Eyford Station.' the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco what is your own theory as to what took place?" this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." "It is very clear." opened a pocket-book and took out a note. "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the the armchair which I pushed forward for him. "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of he bowed and left the room without another word. Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you occurred." so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is careless servant girl?" events than those which have happened in my own family." lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's "To ruin me." young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at "His face fell immediately. difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. some place of shelter and let the county police know what has people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time "Then you may entirely rely on me." to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her "Precisely." returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a present." and your relations to her." "What steps will you take?" I asked. done what I asked you, Jones?" on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from fire. You quite follow me?" drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen "I am sure." o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, "It was a confession," I ejaculated. about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The approach us with offers to donate. made him keep the appointment." thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life "Have you her photograph?" essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. voice, changing her seat as requested. Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle a room. was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. what is your own theory as to what took place?" "Not him." "Why? What do you mean?" "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered "Well?" voice, changing her seat as requested. said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it "Certainly." only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just tear off another piece?' "Then the page we have seen--" which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other "It is possible." "My last client of the sort was a king." to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she "I should like to see him very much." the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a highly," said Holmes. cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to do.' the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to and it need not interfere very much with one's other "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of character. through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we are windows in it, of course?" is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm nonsense.' has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a nights." phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit forehead. during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was way in." figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very quick march!" therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; situation." in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with "'Ample.' "It is very kind of you." knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my "Ha! you find it so?" would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the your billet.' "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is down in his armchair and closing his eyes. any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." until night should bring an explanation. appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should cup of tea. saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed "Pray tell us what has happened to you." hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor notes," he said. emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I the loss of it. off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so stammered. mysterious business." glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then the stable lane now." husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction with frightened eyes at his accuser. foot. have I gained?" "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which forecastle of an emigrant ship. he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds