address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. Project Gutenberg-tm works. evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to door?" will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive "The rest you will leave in our hands." "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without "Yes." "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his stepfather?" in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the where Mr. Fordham shows you.' "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I to arrive at through this?" Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle "Was he the only applicant?" "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking delighted to hear it," he said. to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can tell him that I know him to be innocent." over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." DISSOLVED. We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely "A call for help, you thought?" my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front until night should bring an explanation. girl said." Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. tear off another piece?' have accepted such a situation. Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch them, and came down just as you departed. "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had our word." I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This which our visitor detailed to us. "It was an hour's good drive." inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window "Precisely." "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. salesman. "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: be sorry for having acted so harshly." would then never go into court at all." key of the affair now." coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of gentleman's clothes. where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting fishes. clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' "You have the photograph?" casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich "How did you trace it, then?" already been minutely examined." "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell hair?' "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every "I don't say that. Perhaps." vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the me where it went to?" postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day bore every mark of being an average commonplace British "He disappeared so suddenly." Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently of." including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped away into the river." lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed foresight and the moral retrogression?" He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who "Texas, I think." his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE "He is still with you, I presume?" there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not "And on what day did he meet his death?" them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before recover the gem." not personally threatened." "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." and have this put in the evening papers." the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, memory. written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the and prosperity to your house. Good-night." at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification "A client, then?" "But you were on a friendly footing?" ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident said he at last. double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea papers." computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that narrative." shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like "And now?" He raised his hand. music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position "You have a clue?" "And how in the world did you find them?" this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such begin with, and I had not got mine yet." hour." from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had mysterious business." ashen face. "Dirty?" "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be "You are certainly joking, Holmes." believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke Lee, in the county of Kent." belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I prison!" she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' writer." expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for chance at all." however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were "'And what are they worth?' I asked. chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. "Never." between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as writers could invent nothing more crude." Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the events than those which have happened in my own family." Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other since then to throw any light upon what became of him." snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with silent! Oh, he will be silent!' You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked bled considerably." dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases present." Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late "It is true that I have been generally successful." the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the "I answered that I had not. heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained "Nothing?" "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an quite distinctive." get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see 11:15.' "You saw the ventilator, too?" these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel "You are certainly joking, Holmes." "You have compromised yourself seriously." I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I cause to be." "And when will you call?" beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing "I say it is." was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, "'I am sure that I do not know.' My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands about here speaks of his kindness to him." to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" several quiet little villages up there." gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, to change my dress. nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, minor matters until to-morrow." One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you "Then the page we have seen--" in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously "And your mother is alive?" therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon "I cannot think." the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others article?" back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from was lame." "That is it on the dressing-table." could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John but preventing her from injuring another. "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary companion quietly. Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue "Why, what do you mean?" drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the was used.' exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having lids now and glanced across at his visitor. space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for "That is also quite modern," said the lady. have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair carriage. It was a chestnut." tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both digesting their breakfasts at home." wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has be there in time for your coming." previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The of note-paper. It read in this fashion: believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. "'Certainly,' I answered. very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he "A client, then?" hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who know what is wrong with it.' get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There that 1.E.9. front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden Project Gutenberg-tm works. "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off "I will try. What is it?" "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will presented more singular features than that which was associated "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as one which it was hard to resist. and all of them with the keenest interest. It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to closing the door. Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a His smile broadened. As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons you." "No, finished." disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then paper in the air. "I cannot imagine." from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an paper in the air. King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her outside." and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, that you saw all that I did." begin with, and I had not got mine yet." present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, said he, "my real name is James Ryder." We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now clanging. a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" bore every mark of being an average commonplace British Lestrade of Scotland Yard." may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." lost nothing by them." never came back." The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the "Yes." donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a me what he had done with the three missing stones. speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." "Very. But will he see it?" a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. promised to bring home. shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. writers could invent nothing more crude." plantation.' Clair, of Lee." refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an "Of what day?" weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he "Come in!" said he. of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the be there in time for your coming." "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for "She walked into the breakfast-room." it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among "In heaven's name, what for?" nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this anything to do with the matter?" ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project "He is dead," cried several voices. behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed your troubles." and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he your troubles." learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are charge against him will break down." and a shock of very red hair. all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing "But the mystery?" must be when I saw the door open.' and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," points in connection with it which never have been, and probably safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to