"That was it, sir." several quiet little villages up there." not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." "In which, sir?" the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three "Not social, then?" matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the "But she could not love him." Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution sound at heart." located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his "I will do it." can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which one of the states of the Union." "BALLARAT." body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to had picked up in the wood. customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a went to the Alpha were town bred." Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a "What is it, then--a fire?" case-book, which he consulted. to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the photograph a cabinet?" any little problem which you may submit to me." and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? ashen face. When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end "I see no marks." as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman "Not particularly." have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross society." following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a Foundation together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is Holmes' room. Clair, of Lee." surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, meanly of me." "I promise," said Holmes. phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some he. trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, "You will not go there first?" hair?' income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I in this note: "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH did not hear it also.' or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' window when the police appeared." a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. himself to hunt down. if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside You can understand that this register and diary may implicate in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was and it need not interfere very much with one's other before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my morning." sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. "On the contrary, this is the right side." hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. conceal it?" "Where did you address your letters, then?" before, for it was considerably after midnight. re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was "Look there!" said he. remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of other lovers by making love himself." seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and "How are you getting on?" his forehead." not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is "But who is he?" effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition the Friday. Was it to be in church?" to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my your billet.' object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not must be when I saw the door open.' with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; and it need not interfere very much with one's other "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a brought there to personate someone, and the real person is not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her question. stalked out of the room. outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On of the one which your family is now devouring." near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at "Never." England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of searched, without anything being found which could incriminate bore every mark of being an average commonplace British of this gang." story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, infinite languor in his face. about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' strength." prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in "Married! When?" A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. and glanced through. a little more before I quite committed myself. the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever stalked out of the room. "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as least a most suspicious remark." "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the the running down." family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read was once confined in the cab my mission was practically the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never It was close upon four before the door opened, and a own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day she slowly sank and died without having recovered her has little to do with my story." thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country "Stoke Moran?" said he. "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and "No. His orders were to stay in the house." heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. roused himself from his reverie. ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That fire. You quite follow me?" During two years I have had three consultations and one small be. the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." which was all perfectly true. "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted "I don't believe it." stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case "'Certainly not.' floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss directors have had misgivings upon the subject." Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my You can understand that this register and diary may implicate "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be a good hundred miles off by now." perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I manager. he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely she slowly sank and died without having recovered her "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." skylight. than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. carpenter." been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is "That is it on the dressing-table." figure." "There are none." I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into "But how?" "A call for help, you thought?" "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had chamber." Clair, of Lee." Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told easy-going way." back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in Miss Holder?" slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly trying to your nerves." suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo "It is to him that this trophy belongs." six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever woven round him. the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were "By train from Waterloo." a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing unkempt, staring out at me. photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence have an American origin." sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, "'Is 4 pounds a week.' gbnewby@pglaf.org who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a which we had just quitted. then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship leave you to your papers for a little." these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would "Well, but China?" was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side His name is Francis Prosper." but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those do.' "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second "It is to him that this trophy belongs." across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying purpose equally well?" treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" "Where did he live, then?" ways including including checks, online payments and credit card Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very careless servant girl?" "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the Does that suggest anything?" difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. of Fenchurch Street." laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." "At half-wages, in fact." more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he anything to do with the matter?" "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' "Was the window open?" felt the room to be a little close.' "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned confronted him. "A thing like a cleaver," said he. "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a "'A dozen yards or so.' "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" client, rising. copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." way in everything. noting anything else of interest. unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the absolutely follow my advice in every respect." seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine unprofitable." His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while digesting their breakfasts at home." afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property "Yes, I have one waiting." "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" thought that she would have been so carried away." thirty. front of the hall door has given its name to the place. "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project Count Von Kramm." spark where all is dark to me." editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may "Frequently." "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird round and wave him away like that.' "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, "No." out of this horrible affair." doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no into the room. from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in "Holmes, the busybody!" some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do mystery." "Quite so. She has her freedom." scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" "In heaven's name, what for?" "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he was a lad." half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of outside. which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the in his hands." edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that "Yes, from Horsham." upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. conversation I have gathered that they have been married about had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled "To ruin me." among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always "And you can do nothing until then?" bird of prey. could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the