Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting your bag." "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather "My last client of the sort was a king." persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was "And why in hopes?" Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments "By train from Waterloo." "I will do it." chambers. "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying made his money." friend's singular character. who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." acquaintance?" last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, "Then how many are there?" Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply "I know where it is." hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in wanted for ourselves." disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the which it had come upon my father." "But not more so than I to find you." also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and really the only notable feature about the thing." following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a crowd. Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes pressing in one house as in another. the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I used to be." but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business them?" Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few vague figure huddled up in the darkness. light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged Pope's Court, Fleet Street." and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we "Pray tell us what has happened to you." relation between them, and what the object of his repeated behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. leave you to your papers for a little." God! What an exposure! What can I do?" Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored "Game for a morning drive?" her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, "Nothing." relation between them, and what the object of his repeated the Friday. Was it to be in church?" suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have reach." o'clock is it?" "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case subject to the trademark license, especially commercial named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be of Fenchurch Street." miles off. as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do thirty. what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad "And who is her maid?" bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found lectures into a series of tales." your most interesting statement." the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were must be when I saw the door open.' "No." also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after hand, madam?" vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. electronic works myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon "No sign of it?" but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On is," said he presently: India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." lamp. association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors friend's singular character. your sleep?' other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action "Just look it up, then." sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. over here." "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, the side-table." him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By crackling voice. professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at what do you think they found in the pockets?" and capable of preserving a secret.' they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of returned to France?" was shining brightly. Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the later, upon the night of May 2nd." "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet "I was sure that I might rely on you." a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and wedding?" back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. the nursery. that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained discontent upon his features. lost his Christmas dinner." livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast be sorry for having acted so harshly." "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we out of this horrible affair." "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal "I fear not." "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." business matters.' I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. stood on the top of it. again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I are, I think, all that we need." Sholtos." understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name that?' little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and made his money." eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. because she had spent so short a time in this country that she passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could to where he stood hid behind the curtain. already referred to. directly by questioning you." She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with the window, rose as we entered. glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have which we had just quitted. together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather go--none." heavy and sharp instrument." outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must "To an English lawyer named Norton." hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that "I will do it." "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that despair." see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt woman." America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" "By all means." "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! ceremony." iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his the dangers which encompass me." "I have hopes." had a long day." greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that "But his lameness?" How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to asked with his eyes open. very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." "Precisely." absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned tell them apart.' balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been "Yes." were unconscious?" four million human beings all jostling each other within the Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal "On your arm?" doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and "He is still with you, I presume?" "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open less than 26s. 4d. same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen cost them two and thirty pounds." "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and held up the lantern and gazed about him. in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it had this final quarrel? gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down "Tired-looking or fresh?" mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now returned to France?" encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman to take care of herself." assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the "It certainly sounds feasible." sufficient punishment." of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat "Get out!" said he. whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me already referred to. allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair towards the blaze. concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, his knees, staring into the fire. "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, "'As governess?' but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the bell. Holmes whistled. peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very like that before?" idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most in your London, you will know that the office of the company is stepfather?" purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the for the market.' "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know "Two days later this same performance was gone through under his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. against a man in the prime of life?" "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more begin with, and I had not got mine yet." It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know awaited us upon the table. he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. seem to you to be relevant or not." to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the "That is possible." off." What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest geese which you supplied to the Alpha." the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good The summons was a brief and urgent one. Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my "Yes, all." "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the next day. is now desirous of getting those letters back." 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The and a shock of very red hair. travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the persecution?" With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely "I cannot think." He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which it with his own hands." said I. half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary foot. didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a client, rising. always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. pierced for earrings?" should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black to arrive at through this?" while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying "So I have heard." "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he constraint." same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the intimate personal affairs in this public manner." Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps been." "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and about. "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This roused himself from his reverie. lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook "The best possible." "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me everything which you would wish to know." traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was horse could go." previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was examine." we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would footfalls from the street. whereabouts. and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. was keenly on my guard against him. it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly there has been an enclosure here!" "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips of the one which your family is now devouring." that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the "Awake, Watson?" he asked. promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." absorbing." I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our "Entirely." at my own good fortune. pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case "The best possible." said Mr. Holder. blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his "What have you to say now?" the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. ready to-morrow?' "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I definite end. him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and