their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." I took the paper from him and read as follows: and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in over with notes and figures. "To ruin me." month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." window when the police appeared." what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money "You have a clue?" "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." of this gang." expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit recover the gem." the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet until night should bring an explanation. beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out him to go away.' and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were "Nor running a chance of arrest?" should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of "What?" paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and "Have you her photograph?" giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with side. "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those you for a few hours?" he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice that I am arrested." "'Yes, it was gone.' "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and "Did you become engaged then?" one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally I have it here in my museum." four million human beings all jostling each other within the Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for there." reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but I was concerned in it." male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. gigantic client. surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with "On Monday." To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the "What then?" "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. "Not particularly." astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" highly," said Holmes. the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without signal between you and your father? can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that in. have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in certainly do as you advise." not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must "What is it?" its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. several quiet little villages up there." forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. society." "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then and the colonel ushered me in. desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness "That's no good." in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of Street. chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." "It's nothing of the kind." The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a them present such singular features as the strange train of flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' hurried away. The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high "Yes?" hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. where we are going." and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. business." sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm examination of the premises, but without finding anything which however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and forebodings. back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It few hundred pounds.' The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with "I don't say that. Perhaps." Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR introspective fashion. though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were question. "But how could you guess what the motive was?" again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other "'Not at all. I only doubt--' clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat mysterious business." over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you skylight. counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with an introduction to him?" twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then address. your room." had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do Leadenhall Street--and--" get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a "You know me, then?" returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all at once, for I have only half an hour." deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong said he. your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he do you make of it all?" 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no the matter?" a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he way in." "But not more so than I to find you." other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this "That also I could fathom." call you and give you the chance." that he has suffered." I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case was keenly on my guard against him. He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. said he. man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. newspaper selections." beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah head. So long, then!" "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could "No. What a strange idea!" forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for his knees, staring into the fire. hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own answer." "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never fait accompli?" adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question tapping his fingers upon the table. left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only "No?" shadow pass over his face as I spoke. statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her approach us with offers to donate. Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done humiliation." for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average is so. I know all about McCarthy." dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying "My dear Holmes!" "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been "What is it?" until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his had picked up in the wood. horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." "Yes, all." insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just late!' low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his train from Paddington which would bring you there at about waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us the child." at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present front of the hall door has given its name to the place. the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and "And now?" I asked. Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into cigar and let me expound." which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, standing smiling on the door-step. "That sounds a little paradoxical." "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have "Yes, it would be as well." "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he lost nothing by them." allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place him nearly every evening." this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the possible that we could bring him back to her? shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley my room." master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who call for protection in the marriage market, for the present You can understand that this register and diary may implicate doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers "But of what society?" it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my in him." corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. "What, then, did Peterson do?" "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a "How can you tell that?" fluttered off among the others. to tell." necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My "Get out!" said he. which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a "You have it, sir, just as it happened." given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he "Then you may be so with me." "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." "A thing like a cleaver," said he. brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. generous with you in money matters.' to-night's adventure." "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project License. You must require such a user to return or is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with fact, we may call it conclusive." and shall probably return to London by the evening train." there was no need for father to know." watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and bachelor.' either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter think that any burglar could have done. "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll business." and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. down. License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this discontent upon his features. the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great prisoner's face. and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from better grown goose." therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a "'I shall certainly be there.' Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room "'Yes, I promise.' And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he excitement. one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is where she found matters as described by the last witness. Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the "Will you bet, then?" companion imperturbably. "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or "This photograph!" "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded himself to tell his story. wedding?" Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in "She will not sell." very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I helping a boy to put up the shutters. grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass "Where did he live, then?" skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from kind enough to tell me what I should do." "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you his knees, staring into the fire. me where it went to?" over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open "It was an hour's good drive." SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any the King without delay." window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in weary and pale-looking. think that any burglar could have done. edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at "Ah!" - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from