"I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with "How did that help you?" grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. gigantic client. unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old what I may call a really hard day's work." object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and outside. the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was tear off another piece?' signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have "It was an hour's good drive." whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask ventilator." "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I "My photograph." "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he companion quietly. for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If I took the paper from him and read as follows: impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." the child." "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding "I have my revolver," said I. wanted for ourselves." walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and "Nothing." "Nearly eleven." "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon that he will be back before evening." hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag wedding?" Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square empty. case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by you understand?" simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed which we had just quitted. "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train as he folded up the epistle. "'And the work?' and capable of preserving a secret.' prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right think that he is innocent?" product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was call for it in person on Monday morning.' however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, such person." person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do "And your mother is alive?" troubles have been weighing upon his mind. They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I "So I am. Very much so." "He slept on the premises." I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, meant." have had none more fantastic than this." Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I any little problem which you may submit to me." you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry up this clue while it is still hot." these bleak autumnal evenings." familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the it." to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora attention." appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite of." from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that and the colonel ushered me in. "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no "And who is her maid?" lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he "An accident, I presume?" society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" you in your example." devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might again before evening." that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in "I shall be delighted." "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of "How on earth--" "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander back alive. Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. "Nothing?" "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. "Witness: I must still refuse. Holmes' face clouded over. the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes "This concluded the examination of the witness." that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and Eyford." chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police friend's singular character. conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which until night should bring an explanation. they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, fashion which was peculiar to him. room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage pity, because in other respects you would really have done very was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other "And why?" "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was fear." "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on towards the blaze. a few minutes he said that it would be all right. had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce better in every way that they should make their position a little this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that "That is it on the dressing-table." "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and coat-tails." "What of the rat, then?" "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" companion imperturbably. two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed "None." Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. matter." decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very "Yes, from Horsham." silent! Oh, he will be silent!' and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon "But how will you look?" heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" a very grave face. absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He next day. once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan fattened it expressly for you.' winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, call for it in person on Monday morning.' "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his and looked back. "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, never to learn it at all." years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have green of the new foliage. "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back "You are certainly joking, Holmes." through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of enter into my head. again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her new acquaintance to Baker Street. "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow Leave Paddington by the 11:15." it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the "You have compromised yourself seriously." from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the "He might." which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found have accepted such a situation. Sutherland. photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, "But she could not love him." the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, a very grave face. upon an income of about 60 pounds." that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler Holmes. assist you in forming an opinion." he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with which our visitor detailed to us. continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been "So I have heard." at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have generous with you in money matters.' appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be the very letters. But what is this written above them?' many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in "I have hopes." All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew me. You must get home instantly and act." The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As "Then how many are there?" me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes *** START: FULL LICENSE *** "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." some terrible trap for her." have had none more fantastic than this." cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small of them has the shutters up.' "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it light and attacked it." not use it unless it is absolutely needed." collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such important." sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. "Was the window open?" with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end mystery." believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall "What can you not understand?" humiliation." thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of what do you think they found in the pockets?" papers on the sundial.'" crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into sufficient punishment." to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. "No, distinctly professional." enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, certainly not very gracious." broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if "Two days later this same performance was gone through under heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and it. lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, the dangers which encompass me." down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did shall not find me ungrateful." is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had was a perfect sample of the class. 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from "It surprised me." "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle Gutenberg-tm License. where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to hands. evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both least a fellow-countryman. door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up door?" and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the out." balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly this remarkable episode. time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for bears upon the case?" propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' "You think so, too?" never will be, entirely cleared up. "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the "'You cannot say what it was?' at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two trying to your nerves." of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. without success. At last the little money which I had saved began "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have upon an income of about 60 pounds." will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De closing the door. years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a most interesting one." now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such