to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, undoubtedly my uncle's." The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, this man was intellectual?" "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little retorted upon me, and I on you." "You did not overhear what they said?" "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." "'What then?' I asked. promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, "The best possible." to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New works. See paragraph 1.E below. heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you to-night?" I asked. "You are certainly joking, Holmes." her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack there is a decided draught." present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" she might be summoned. dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a "It's nothing of the kind." "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip was once confined in the cab my mission was practically "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an "I am still in the dark." "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty my secret was safe in his possession. "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to "ARAT," I read. "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the chance at all." "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that learned something! Where are the gems?" and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of "And why?" very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a wanted for ourselves." "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, several quiet little villages up there." has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." points in connection with it which never have been, and probably "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass this poor creature." who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small definite end. would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, distinguish the words: your bag." "Come in!" said Holmes. the one as in the other." wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" golden eyeglasses. in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. interests were the same as his." "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary bonnet, and went out." "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast late!' We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, Doctor, of the paper and the date." until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our questioning and rather startled gaze. "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion with frightened eyes at his accuser. written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose him to go away.' Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the started for the Temple to see my husband. Countess of Morcar's?" glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences "Yes, he did." "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the question you as to those details which seem to me to be most "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very cigars in their mouths. should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of might have a private word with us. brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced "I should like to see him very much." a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which both be extremely obliged.' disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in "How do you know, then?" heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. seen the man in the road." happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, such person." and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the "How did he come?" ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a conduct the inquiry." "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private "And sit in the dark?" say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait said I. I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the several quiet little villages up there." rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, flock.' little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me events than those which have happened in my own family." yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback "You have a clue?" http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after the bed, and you in that chair." second." nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid occurred." colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account "You horrify me." the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but a suggestive one." since then to throw any light upon what became of him." faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some stammered. endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there hair?' wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your simple cases which are so extremely difficult." though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. "Stolen, then." very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." when your master had gone out." murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with anything to do with the matter?" wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his "A confidential servant?" the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from fasten all the windows?" send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the "In what way?" asked Holmes. promised to bring home. my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, "None." himself to hunt down. receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the undoubtedly my uncle's." to his chemical studies. but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. whereabouts. most important business. It is probable that he will be away all words came to my lips. upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the "But of what society?" soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote a good hundred miles off by now." his forehead." "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can too. I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a introspective fashion. sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny directors, with the result that you have seen." that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in know what is wrong with it.' of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than "I shall be delighted." doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she do.' chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." "One of his hands." during that time.' building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between "I assure you that I am in your hands." "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes "But it has twice been burgled." in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking which are rolled in Rotterdam." "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature should be taken.' is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away "But the mystery?" he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not Lee, in the county of Kent." would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." friend's singular character. more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little "Of what day?" his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of "I promise," said Holmes. "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing business at Coburg Square is serious." remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." forbidden door. out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case and looked back. beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, third from London." air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." forehead. "'Entirely.' by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to electronic works "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something "Yes." he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly the date of his supposed suicide." "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what main points of my analysis." Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the "Then I can wait in the next room." that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to "And how have you succeeded?" the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another "What are they?" "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if approach us with offers to donate. gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, instincts rose up against that laugh. objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make "Then, as to money?" I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again "And is that all?" into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given noise which awoke you from your sleep?" thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On as he remarks, very much against the son." allusion to a rat. our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps fact, we may call it conclusive." set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, tell them apart.' second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out goes." The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater way: dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away three of the beryls in it, was missing. inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the gbnewby@pglaf.org of his shoulders. "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." front of me. "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up "And why in hopes?" essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and "None." returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs "What! You do not mean bodies?" discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a through." "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. it. unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it "It is possible." "It's nothing of the kind." located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas brought there to personate someone, and the real person is young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched remarked. that you saw all that I did." that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a "How are you getting on?" was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you I took the paper from him and read as follows: called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line "But how could you guess what the motive was?" you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home frequently gained my first real insight into the character of Holmes' thin, eager face. had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and in his hands." we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most The police have openly confessed that they can at present make the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his society." see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, "No."