was the fact that his father should, according to his account, The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock "Come in!" said Holmes. of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man the very morning of the wedding." fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the more terrible than the truth. Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project "That is it on the dressing-table." for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates main points of my analysis." I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt "Not yet." and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police drove away. the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. salesman. agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to Doctor, of the paper and the date." He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being soul! here is her carriage at the door." believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." front of the hall door has given its name to the place. But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived garden below. really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the morning." "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." said I. prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax "Here?" matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have him to be an active member of the medical profession." "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. From what you have told me I think that it is possible that was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already views." "You were travelling in the States?" signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. "The best possible." starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before "'You doubt its value?' he asked. right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly straighten it?" knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it your bag." Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's than was visible to me." heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me "That you are never beaten." central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of chill to my heart. this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the completely overtopped every other consideration that we both five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business Leadenhall Street--and--" green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently tied." "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went "Did your wife hear all this?" departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend him to go away.' fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some "Oh, fresh and glossy." into the bag, and made for the door. therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, happened." my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if vanished into the darkness. well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. horse could go." be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I "Yes." returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes chamber." "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her "That is unusual in a young girl." upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to "Game for a morning drive?" rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the until night should bring an explanation. Sholtos." furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the out of this horrible affair." with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander bell. Holmes whistled. name is different." man. "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." head. So long, then!" more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong "'What, the red-headed man?' some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and strong and stiff." rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or "On the contrary, this is the right side." cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from know what is wrong with it.' "It is very clear." of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' than to us. "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a that photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are "You are all wrong." been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was "But his lameness?" "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning "But how?" "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner that, and I came down." 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons your Highness to the police-station?" lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of "I should wish to." "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while breakfast and whispered something to her husband. which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very "None." The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the prove to be little relation between the different incidents of that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is matter over." Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. said he. once more on the important position which you have been fortunate said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it "Which are?" retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and "And did you observe any change in her then?" "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." "There are none." At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my question," said Holmes, smiling. liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in the coronet at all injured?" "To ruin me." glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress "Very murderous indeed." indeed which he could not unravel. the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we someone who had been in Australia." calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. populous neighbourhood." "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still heavy and sharp instrument." good-night and bustled off upon her way. at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well tapping his fingers upon the table. where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. back into the street. applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the advice." "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that "'Why that?' I asks. "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid "Entirely." was not a bird to be seen there. "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has present." Watson," he said cordially. "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm "It is very kind of you." roused himself from his reverie. "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes prisoner's face. said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of business." in your London, you will know that the office of the company is "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from happened." must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was upon a handsome competence. kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method how narrow had been my escape. "Of Friday, June 19th." is worth.' most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. as yours." before, for it was considerably after midnight. banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my Holmes. "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in absolutely follow my advice in every respect." "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the "The landlord of the Alpha." weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray following enigmatical notices: spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of entirely lost his self-respect." did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the investigation." "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. whatever might befall. the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand "'About the same.' total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little miles off. serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. "'Why that?' I asks. question. it with his own hands." with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." the bed, and you in that chair." But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking fatally injured? "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this "'You cannot say what it was?' was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. "But your client--" for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master other means.' than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" me where it went to?" face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and "Then what has happened to him?" days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the "Come in!" said he. what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly mystery." "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had charge against him will break down." to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in "And did you observe any change in her then?" returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any "Then the page we have seen--" armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that "'Tell me all about it,' said I. License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, you found me to-night--and running through the front room she without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a awaited us upon the table. however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps "'Is purely nominal.' brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and