there when the Rucastles went away." "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded "They are typewritten," I remarked. the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable "No more words. Get out!" "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend frequently gained my first real insight into the character of professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police question you as to those details which seem to me to be most I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes "Did your wife hear all this?" "No." make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it weighed down with some great anxiety. English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ "What steps will you take?" I asked. meanly of me." "'Stolen!' he cried. His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as "In answer to an advertisement." "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had a little more before I quite committed myself. foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De "I know where it is." spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I foresight and the moral retrogression?" "What will you do, then?" Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with again, where I was soon asleep. "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. results." "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. closely." a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes the morning and make my own way in the world.' slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' quick march!" down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather there!' impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the His smile broadened. now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very again on its way. Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would with the outside air!" at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that colour had been driven from his face. definite end. such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney yards of it?' we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well "That is unusual in a young girl." "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this answer." of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been like gravel from a pit.' after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a directly by questioning you." hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a became a certainty. against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by me upon any point which I do not make clear." mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, me. The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the Mary, has deserted me." "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at "I have hopes." was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk that the gas is not laid on in his house?" fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know "So I have heard." with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double "'There is a drive, then?' retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows "I cannot think." He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and you give your casting vote to?" thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the before, for it was considerably after midnight. of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I ventilator." Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. at once, for I have only half an hour." "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. where Mr. Fordham shows you.' my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what that 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived Leave Paddington by the 11:15." "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the "What, then?" I shall communicate with you." "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' burst into a hearty fit of laughter. look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers the dangers which encompass me." shoulder. Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you been anything against him. He had for years been known as a Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered mysterious business." "Eh? What was that?" I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my country, and eventually married, without anyone having a "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in man. I know him from the photograph." however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me works. sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, any." advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no "It goes to the housekeeper's room." calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would used to be." "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I way: his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. business came to an end." Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. For additional contact information: Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest "No, thank goodness, she did not." "But you were on a friendly footing?" sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down point our research must commence, and we will begin it by all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to memory. upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your cheerful." dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has "'Very good.' "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast friend's singular character. "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell since then to throw any light upon what became of him." work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at "To an English lawyer named Norton." "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell ready to-morrow?' discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, "It surprised me." very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your "By no means." "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken "What is it?" does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in several quiet little villages up there." twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off gentleman's clothes. I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in the ceiling. completely overtopped every other consideration that we both rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by "They are typewritten," I remarked. post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of "Ah, but I was recommended to you." "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise more solid." "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to like that before?" "He said that you could solve anything." "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if investigation." woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual entirely lost his self-respect." reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of is a common subject for conversation. infinite languor in his face. on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with the very morning of the wedding." That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not Leave Paddington by the 11:15." moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I "Precisely so. But how--" returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, Leave Paddington by the 11:15." diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has the station." returned to France?" "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle "9th. McCauley cleared. is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my we went to search for him, face downward in a little before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the there has been an enclosure here!" "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But comes from the middle window." get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took "I am to be neutral?" "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I "They are typewritten," I remarked. imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made asked with his eyes open. an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, always that they were such commands as a lady might with "I guessed as much." there!' you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a so.' He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number "We have tried and failed." undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a him to be an active member of the medical profession." were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the "What are they?" "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way upon the shelf for the interim." chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was "You have the photograph?" character. dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she that metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, asked. swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone tightly behind him. she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the had died away into the silence from which it rose. Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." shoulder. what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business might help us?" my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry and glanced through. hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" "No legal papers or certificates?" qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." official police." drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of "I see no marks." "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of three of the beryls in it, was missing. "May I see it?" "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you "But his left-handedness." snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing "Then, how do you know?" "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An "Breckinridge is his name." colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well populous neighbourhood." purpose of examination. preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect This is what he says: might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's "Did you observe the colour?" however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo you." "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an as he remarks, very much against the son." noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I "When did it break out?" objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted do.' very old mansion. "And how did you verify them?" town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed "Come in!" said he. About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, and the church but not where the lady lived." "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. constraint." ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you