"You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the unprecedented a position." "I shall be delighted." with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on meanly of me." terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders flock.' hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he memory. the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We "Yes." even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in "Yes." posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the "I see no marks." taking in every detail of the apartment. turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they then?" though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith "Not I." we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in "But what harm can there be in that?" off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were next day. "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped "Entirely." he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do "'And what are they worth?' I asked. similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I him to be an active member of the medical profession." "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. you." "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have "Yes." wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to companion. follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the the ceiling. "Certainly." I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." guilty parties." points to suicide?" "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, for and were ordered to this address. which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The presented which may be striking and bizarre without being taking in every detail of the apartment. "You have carte blanche." "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed "Yes, only one." fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." during the last few years, and there are many noble families to me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that with the outside air!" when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. breakfast." of note-paper. It read in this fashion: very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, charged with?" "No, I am descending." chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." "On Monday." assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. see a sister of mine apply for." Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another her also." do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning them, and came down just as you departed. river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a Holmes' room. strength." It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself present strange and interesting features that it is no easy simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each shag which I had seen upon the previous night. "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, John Swain, of St. Augustine. gone before you can get him to hospital." "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. "And it is--" Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite very morning of my second wedding." in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried "Dark enough and sinister enough." searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who papers diligently of late, have you not?" police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no advice." with her." room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, "Yes." keep the flames under. less than 26s. 4d. destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, "No good news?" hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the for and were ordered to this address. gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men "No good news?" "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it "What steps will you take?" I asked. well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, "Did you become engaged then?" "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it you?' "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a constraint." "Certainly." "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my interest. They are important, you understand, without being which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the "Perhaps we may make them less so." confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked province." to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did fishes. so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my cup of tea. "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having your troubles." address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she congenial hunt. voice, changing her seat as requested. "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how "And now?" He raised his hand. law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, will be renamed. suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's "Why, what do you mean?" "And now?" I asked. murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question letters?" savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, "You think that he is dead?" go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was presented more singular features than that which was associated against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the "It is very clear." urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that chamber." to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work to me. be sorry for having acted so harshly." "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of it." already referred to. "'Then let me do so?' firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a lumber-room." your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A do.' "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel the little opening for the ventilator is." demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress them, and came down just as you departed. have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn "How on earth--" Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window colour had been driven from his face. "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they "Very much so." tear off another piece?' stalked out of the room. Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door I took the paper from him and read as follows: impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little following enigmatical notices: dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest writers could invent nothing more crude." can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. walking." find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' and that he would see to anything that turned up. bonnet, and went out." connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and "That is it on the dressing-table." tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than "A confidential servant?" akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was of them has the shutters up.' their singular warning or token before them when starting upon value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. highroad, where all traces were lost. you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, matter." awkward doing business with an alias." as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the strength." "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, definite end. this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and you want, then?' who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for bed dies. Does not that strike you?" It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the "What, then?" one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his "I guessed as much." The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a "It is no ordinary one." "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a his face which made him a very different person to the round, more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack during which he might have communicated with his friend the "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have John Swain, of St. Augustine. "Do you know him?" Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the late!' that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of States. half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting hopeless attempt at recovering them." strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, arrested. You then--" Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only astonishment. better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. forbidden door. lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we a very grave face. beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes silent! Oh, he will be silent!' "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at bed dies. Does not that strike you?" whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the fait accompli?" Cross for the Continent." is worth.' his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his room?" laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the "We must have a cab." morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler call it cruel." the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the have one." heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold "This concluded the examination of the witness." red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would both be extremely obliged.' becomes even more simple." "Pray be precise as to details," said he. forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to "The best possible." affair. of receipt of the work. prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the lost his Christmas dinner." ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not standing smiling on the door-step. "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" 'please.'" "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious depend upon my doing so.' "But you would not advise me to refuse?" knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in over with notes and figures. find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and than to us. "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to