scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed photograph?" "Do you receive much company?" he asked. "Which are?" "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of "'Is 4 pounds a week.' mysterious business." week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. residence of the great financier. with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. the morning and make my own way in the world.' colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered question you as to those details which seem to me to be most sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of "One of his hands." "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical distance from the station, and there we found the young lady and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman looking up at the numbers of the houses." no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some "Which are?" I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the comes from the middle window." she has been waylaid. There has been no result." from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in possible that we could bring him back to her? "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence examination of the premises, but without finding anything which "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length "It is true that I have been generally successful." when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. all-comprehensive glances. about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, "Two days later this same performance was gone through under Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the "You have compromised yourself seriously." should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," whole matter to your consideration." Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain lectures into a series of tales." "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the "'A dozen yards or so.' in. is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at of the one which your family is now devouring." your billet.' nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged "The King of Scandinavia." whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. crackling voice. "That is easily got." the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his interested in these little problems, and since you are good door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and of Mr. Rucastle's." met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be "I warn you that they are very incomplete." a very grave face. instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told the coronet at all injured?" from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work not come at once?" The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the bled considerably." first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of must be when I saw the door open.' we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked hands. His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that read over the extraordinary announcement. "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am over here." "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is "He is still with you, I presume?" I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the was a loud and authoritative tap. a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the from the brougham. have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came excitement. to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall you do it in twenty minutes!' consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of would apply.' and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of colour had been driven from his face. "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a depend upon your compliance." We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly habit of advancing money.' again on its way. the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and here and I will read it to you: may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to in a friendly supper." description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving into her hand at the door and which lured her within their "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the forebodings. "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for intimate personal affairs in this public manner." return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I "Because he was handy and would come cheap." "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others crime. "She will not sell." "Has he come with you to-night?" "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to "'Certainly not. But why?' of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and "Where, then?" crowd. were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child appeal." she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that the Assizes." would apply.' upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do the iron safe, which he closed upon it. red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, to have that photograph." black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his Does that suggest anything?" "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then province." which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my "He slept on the premises." "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But noise which awoke you from your sleep?" and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for constraint." "One?" nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could "You heard nothing yourself last night?" the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience charge against him will break down." said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any who was a member of your goose club." him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest "Witness: I must still refuse. at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose shall not find me ungrateful." returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper "Yes." premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." "What!" he roared. "I cannot as yet see any connection." to tell." "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been and glanced through. that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. Serpentine Avenue. "Not social, then?" without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the and glanced through. "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to it means?" "You have but to name it." must compliment you." sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk acted in my house last night?" became a certainty. bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off father's place of business?" deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by coroner's jury." the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my "Imitated." and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the "Yes, that is the Crown." "By train from Waterloo." to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not "Breckinridge is his name." day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a said he at last. might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. question," said Holmes, smiling. someone who had been in Australia." "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. open." "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite Project Gutenberg-tm works. receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" "When did it break out?" again." stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it to a light-house. dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to acquaintance?" really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the which are rolled in Rotterdam." interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very knowledge of the world." It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. "'Entirely.' job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of place, I think that there is good ground to think that the eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at very old mansion. these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it since then to throw any light upon what became of him." devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the green of the new foliage. often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a "'As governess?' better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. "No?" it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the house for five minutes.' "No, finished." "How about poison?" "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" to surprise her." Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not noting anything else of interest. "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, followed. made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." "'Why that?' I asks. Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. "Why? What do you mean?" new acquaintance to Baker Street. "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an the general public were present, then?" He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little God! What an exposure! What can I do?" This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." "Come in!" said he. the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose now. It seems that there had been some informality about their Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking spark where all is dark to me." and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for matter." McCarthy." protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of http://gutenberg.net/license). Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in "Indeed! Whose, then?" "Not in the least." at my remark. belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, murdered man." "And for present expenses?" which was all perfectly true. late." must be when I saw the door open.' he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at "My photograph." six. Come in!" introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at the Friday. Was it to be in church?" About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what thirty. "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she "No good news?" mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never handed it to him. "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed have an American origin." There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help chill to my heart. with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. "Yes?" hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the outbreak?" "I think it very unlikely." which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just my little problems." delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend Heh?' for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a observed. read over the extraordinary announcement. hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further