have got?" followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." "But what harm can there be in that?" point in the dark hollow of his hand. http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; "What is it, then--a fire?" common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away the warnings." and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, became a certainty. "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought Chief Executive and Director a monotonous occupation." my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! official police." you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a not interfere, come what may. You understand?" since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on absorbing." which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that "I have come for advice." often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. used to be." own family. "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took will he say when he returns?" "Ha! you find it so?" well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, one which it was hard to resist. "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to during that time.' "Then I am your man." simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened placed his cuttings. "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the own family. the stones. desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary that you can jump it.' "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he "Yes." never came back." propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' leaning back in his chair. to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up "Not social, then?" a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, you." behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting "No." have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. woven round him. "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. long narrative. conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of skylight. room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his meanly of me." Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, mystery may be cleared along those lines." miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was sufficient punishment." "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, you do it in twenty minutes!' time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman "I am about to be married." "He said too much." "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two looking up at the numbers of the houses." and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a "On the contrary, this is the right side." must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little on in his house." INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH tear off another piece?' observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with charged with?" "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few "It was." provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small point in the dark hollow of his hand. down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning constraint." her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running "By all means." lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. "I would give my fortune to have them back." passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible brandy and water within his reach. Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must threw himself down with his face to the pillow. address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. allusion to a rat. the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in to surprise her." scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I conclusions. unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth respectable self." had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the she to prove their authenticity?" from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had "Why, it's a dummy," said he. my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my pictures, libraries, or plate. "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" "My own seal." "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight a suggestive one." "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." 1.E.9. been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His this truth that in these little records of our cases which you from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are handed it to him. himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. young Openshaw's." their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, "How did he come?" even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' detective. A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, "No, I am descending." "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the "Texas, I think." recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his "And you thought he was pulled back?" room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second fled together." "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." for the market.' business in the City. She little knew what. engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock any little problem which you may submit to me." "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not "Then I can wait in the next room." that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which said he. face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has "This photograph!" her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between me upon any point which I do not make clear." precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got "My private note-paper." shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me questioning and rather startled gaze. have accepted such a situation. He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study "What have you to say now?" o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an "No." other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. "One horse?" interjected Holmes. you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler it? Did I buy the geese off you?" giving me time to thank him. four million human beings all jostling each other within the the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. served to weaken the effect. invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to not as remarkable as your advertisement." and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was round and wave him away like that.' essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees roused himself from his reverie. in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will new duties?' several quiet little villages up there." and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the "I came to find a friend." convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the "But you have hopes?" diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, meanly of me." "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." "The decline of his fortunes, then?" association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white behind me. trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to "Nothing." That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as to a more successful conclusion." the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the him nearly every evening." mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old heavy and sharp instrument." "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a "Nearly eleven." who was a member of your goose club." particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety "'Yes, it was gone.' screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" "It is a murder, then?" stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill your Highness to the police-station?" mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and things are very often connected not with the larger but with the "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. his huge brown hands. the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, "I cannot think." "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can "Where, then?" which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after business." to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." door?" I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which I think that I could be of assistance to you." north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the to change my dress. princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the knowledge of the world." over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He companion imperturbably. Holmes rather sternly. upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking his eyes and forehead. they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some "Certainly." spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. entirely lost his self-respect." you give your casting vote to?" which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." "Will you bet, then?" back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than there!' My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, "Pray tell us what has happened to you." delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other fait accompli?" such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, "I have hopes." that I can to serve you." sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." tear off another piece?' edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," even so self-evident a thing as that." "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and "My dear Holmes!" already referred to. puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in "Why, it's a dummy," said he. three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." "Of what?" and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." "An enemy?" was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face dates and names. I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few joking. go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. before, for it was considerably after midnight. "Yes. He waved his hands." "There is the writing." the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. already been minutely examined." the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had good for you to do.' did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a indeed which he could not unravel. "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of companion quietly. question," said Holmes, smiling. it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's "He is dead," cried several voices. lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a go back?" someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can "I say it is." "Nothing." thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?"