it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as handed it to him. room?" "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found and the whole place is in a blaze." the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." a monotonous occupation." "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his this Miss Turner." Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I "They are typewritten," I remarked. *** START: FULL LICENSE *** desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my fait accompli?" though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a guilty parties." in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you "And that is--" "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. drawing your inferences." will not take me long to tell. complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the silent! Oh, he will be silent!' myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, you, my dear young lady?' of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler society." "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling "Seven!" I answered. late!' "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on second window is the one that I jumped from." off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate discontent upon his features. benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." "About a month then." "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards and put his glass in his pocket. recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" sneer upon his pale face. I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter "You did not overhear what they said?" key of the affair now." quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with "And leave your case unfinished?" the matter." "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. someone who had been in Australia." "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the and it need not interfere very much with one's other weapon." "And why?" late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and hour?' flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery manager. one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down fait accompli?" the bed, and you in that chair." fat-encircled eyes. opportunities to fix the problem. of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely "How did you trace it, then?" photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so "No. His orders were to stay in the house." does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls woman who has had her own way to make in the world. turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and peculiar to him. elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler whereabouts. populous neighbourhood." was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a "What office?" alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a out of this horrible affair." roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR room had already been engaged for us. and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got "I think that I had better go, Holmes." "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the floor. once more on the important position which you have been fortunate ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed such person." Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally British peeress.'" door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those upon the sideboard." "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the "What! Had he lost his wife?" gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked "'Never,' said I. room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough a good hundred miles off by now." ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a impression behind it as though a window had gently closed Doctor, of the paper and the date." 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the "Certainly." "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider "Which surely he restored to their owner?" Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as do." "It surprised me." to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a to me. chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and maid will bring up your coffee." Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't I nodded to show that I had heard. branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his back alive. can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed and the colonel ushered me in. dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad "I cannot imagine." success. safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, instincts rose up against that laugh. black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She "'And what are they worth?' I asked. King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and "Then, how do you know?" "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as "And what did you see?" client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his sparkled upon his finger. "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the "I cannot imagine." "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." guilty parties." already been minutely examined." could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote charged with?" caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself emerged. golden eyeglasses. next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. matters immensely." the best of training." "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that again, where I was soon asleep. "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat "Yes." and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced "Breckinridge is his name." examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, them present such singular features as the strange train of rat could hardly pass through." "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe which it had come upon my father." read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" "It came here." her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could "And how have you succeeded?" though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular case-book, which he consulted. "I never have." the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had your troubles." take the flies, but not before." ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive matter." over his head with a sweet womanly caress. from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." jewels which you have stolen?' The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." learned something! Where are the gems?" shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our considering the formidable letters which were received by himself little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that delighted to hear it," he said. stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she "How did you deduce the select?" "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch "I have seen the police." of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" prepare for the new role I have to play." himself to tell his story. assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this cause to be." despair." "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I your co-operation." butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, Surrey." above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we children over to America with him, so that I found myself without flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and was a lad." the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. the armchair which I pushed forward for him. "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in just ask you whether you had heard it.' It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." subject to the trademark license, especially commercial said I. Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the "'I am sure that I do not know.' silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." "'Certainly,' I answered. lamp. with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution locked. attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with the armchair which I pushed forward for him. informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not voice, changing her seat as requested. of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body happened." hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, promised to bring home. wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you "And Miss Sutherland?" widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad "'Yes, it was gone.' that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air "'Tell me all about it,' said I. Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have way: comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I "But of what society?" "Well?" it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to and shall probably return to London by the evening train." say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me should be so warm over such a trifle." "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather and laid it on the table. Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a despair." "No, I am descending." as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of "And Irene Adler?" "And why in hopes?" loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay have established a very serious case against the son of the traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the the date of his supposed suicide." woven round him. had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any this Miss Turner." weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to "Bought." have been better. It is all right." face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to future lives." read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to said he. confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. "Your sister is dead, then?" prison!" brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your eat it." lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my and the church but not where the lady lived." Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business "Witness: I must still refuse. returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the "I have hopes." brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the country, and eventually married, without anyone having a without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or "It is true that I have been generally successful." "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most despair." lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood had died away into the silence from which it rose. the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged golden eyeglasses. not fit the lock." from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm "Was the window open?" constraint." just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, of them has the shutters up.' "Ah, but I was recommended to you." salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated "A thing like a cleaver," said he. sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to