hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very friends, not even his own brother. to-night?' advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the I shall continue with my miserable story. "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a leave you to your papers for a little." slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single had picked up in the wood. to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself for its centre. "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new your own bird, so if you wish--" green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I you, my dear young lady?' "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now again." conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men approach us with offers to donate. really the only notable feature about the thing." strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! during which he might have communicated with his friend the "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, when you have done it." "'It is locked up,' I answered. the very morning of the wedding." smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately "VIOLET HUNTER." business matters.' Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which "That also I could fathom." Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." fait accompli?" "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out said he. "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no as noiselessly as she had come. sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, "I cannot say that I have." if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible highly," said Holmes. Eyford." careless servant girl?" seem to you to be relevant or not." town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about business in the City. She little knew what. bachelor.' little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official ill-usage at the hands of fortune. stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his Miss Holder?" impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the "Then what has happened to him?" said I. copied or distributed: the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able "That is unusual in a young girl." to tackle the facts." "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great ways including including checks, online payments and credit card "Yes, it was twisted." suggested at once that there must be a communication between the thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your "Awake, Watson?" he asked. his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this "Was the window open?" "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in "In what way?" asked Holmes. "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an "My private note-paper." the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away "That is it on the dressing-table." effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. "'Yes, it was gone.' "Is he quiet?" with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in "I should like to see him very much." once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at could go. Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the over here." my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all now. It seems that there had been some informality about their The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle father's young wife. 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an shadow pass over his face as I spoke. Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon invisible to me," I remarked. prepare for the new role I have to play." impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you strode off upon his way. shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. "None." can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no "And how have you succeeded?" would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which the coronet at all injured?" done what I asked you, Jones?" "How long did she speak to this Alice?" and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We and a shock of very red hair. remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business a very grave face. of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as it means?" are, and they are waiting for us." fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a question," said Holmes, smiling. coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, some mystery and the punishment of some crime." master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe "You have but to name it." "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always in the port of London." "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to "How did you trace it, then?" fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his "But the mystery?" hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, it." "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. in the port of London." "And how?" the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem "What do you make of that, Watson?" a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the matter." Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices "The doctor?" did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, skylight. I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I "And your father? Did you tell him?" nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than "I should like to see him very much." Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain train.' that you can jump it.' emerged. initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped burst out into a roar of laughter. "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of this poor creature." matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I "Thank you. Pray proceed." weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. Foundation not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a "A thing like a cleaver," said he. naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was entirely lost his self-respect." "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger despair." however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." "'Very good.' hour." St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. locked." creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and joking. endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project matter over." and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." "And how did he make his money?" "Then I do not see the point." lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with be sorry for having acted so harshly." "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been "It certainly sounds feasible." acquaintance?" true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. "Well?" "How on earth--" "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention I shall continue with my miserable story. together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking singular points about the case. What did the police think of the room?" shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would you?" "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, what do you think they found in the pockets?" was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of little trying to do so much typewriting?" successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than kind enough to tell me what I should do." was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through "Then what has happened to him?" imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. fashion which was peculiar to him. information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' "VIOLET HUNTER." Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other was lame." Holmes rather sternly. this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended of your young ladies.' "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen yourselves in at night?" details." "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his matter." noise which awoke you from your sleep?" "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to intimate personal affairs in this public manner." box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' "You think that he is dead?" gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this this remarkable episode. "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk excitement. and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That lost his Christmas dinner." in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story girl said." do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in gigantic client. recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out "How often?" "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed so.' character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" was it brought him the coronet? kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into sit on the left-hand side of the driver." "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering delirious. go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the tassel actually lying upon the pillow. upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even "What!" he roared. "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little himself. ran thus: this remarkable episode. moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open "The rest you will leave in our hands." "You are certainly joking, Holmes." "The murder was done with it." bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is me, and I could not think that his explanation of the strange features which were associated with the two crimes which Leave Paddington by the 11:15." At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his thin, with a long, sharp nose?" such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the him and tried to hold him back. the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we "How can you tell that?" shoulder; "he's all right." "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet