me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set "Pray do so." foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you Eyford at 11:15.' McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every photograph?" your equipment. were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his has little to do with my story." 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that floor. shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, charge against him will break down." he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will hour?' kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You "Pray be precise as to details," said he. correct than the official force." "And I." civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems "Then I am your man." thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you highly," said Holmes. had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed formed some opinion?" "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." brain must have something in it." didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered closing the door. like gravel from a pit.' like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution writers could invent nothing more crude." including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the My friend smiled. lost nothing by them." seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during Watson," he said cordially. distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new bird I ate is country bred." preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the "Game for a morning drive?" The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet "Quite so." customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly window when the police appeared." interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom "Nothing." ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been ceremony." everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began "Breckinridge is his name." page at http://pglaf.org house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party Lee, in the county of Kent." an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You not come at once?" not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and and looked back. so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous records." absorbing." the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open strength." if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her should be taken.' window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the of campaign. good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and "'What, the red-headed man?' and looked back. "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner opened the door, and slipped through. as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert children over to America with him, so that I found myself without "Absolutely?" they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father "And why?" "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very was the fact that his father should, according to his account, 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and "Where, then?" Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I nothing with him." Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a who was a member of your goose club." Clair, of Lee." "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are character. himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked "To ruin me." pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble your troubles." down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." Farm upon the left." "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled fled together." whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet without success. At last the little money which I had saved began Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a "Then what has happened to him?" immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in "Dr. Becher's." the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of "What! You do not mean bodies?" "What do you make of that, Watson?" safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to Miss Holder?" "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the "Yes." "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to Stoke Moran." the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very voice, changing her seat as requested. me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a "Certainly." may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her "Not particularly." may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. the ceiling. "'There is a drive, then?' to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that was shining brightly. the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair redistribution. have one." shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try "I am following you closely," I answered. orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even "What is it?" "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but breakfast." another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such "That's no good." passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this public press." away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an upon the white wrist. everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this business?" "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic interests were the same as his." sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found the King without delay." Holmes' room. contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with again on its way. "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture "Quite so. She has her freedom." "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other "You are certainly joking, Holmes." "It is half-past ten now." breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened any more." snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing to miss it." hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see chambers. "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United "Very well, sir. And this stone?" is," said he presently: "You are all wrong." the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "Yes, it was twisted." "And now?" He raised his hand. "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." "Yes. He waved his hands." the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were three fields round his house, and there he would take his lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become beg that you will break it off." pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have "How often?" He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, developed." about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that in his hands." he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down "You forget that I know nothing about it." first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My "I see no marks." chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes American. Then who could this American be, and why should he "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two one of them." noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the "Who was the criminal, then?" "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they did not hear it also.' of note-paper. It read in this fashion: Henry Baker is a member." tell them apart.' was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those had picked up in the wood. to a light-house. to talk it over. Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." presented which may be striking and bizarre without being from you?" that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. to Leatherhead. is now desirous of getting those letters back." with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he answer." diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the Lestrade of Scotland Yard." "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous It was close upon four before the door opened, and a son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. there was no need for father to know." he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when business." would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. but preventing her from injuring another. "I was sure that I might rely on you." authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been the house with me." St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a laugh and put his lips to my ear. "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from "Never." know what is wrong with it.' mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how business." "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. you want, then?' pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced giving me time to thank him. traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham "I cannot think." Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning village inn over there?" from you?" as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand "But the mystery?" why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an "Is he quiet?" sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a upon a handsome competence. I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that a good hundred miles off by now." heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a "But what is it you wish?" encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural my former friend and companion. "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine everything which you would wish to know." glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, that you wished to speak to me?' the matter." purpose equally well?" not as remarkable as your advertisement." "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of "And I." the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 lost his Christmas dinner." waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than eat it." cigar and let me expound." frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been "We were both in the photograph." detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and a good hundred miles off by now." first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out most interesting one." of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the ordinary clothes on?" remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when again on its way. so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' "I fear not." squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more "Very much so." "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." could not have written that. It is the German who is so "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking "You were travelling in the States?" society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." "Where did you address your letters, then?" "Whose house is it?" "Dirty?" the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." "Only as much as we can deduce." "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a "Why? What do you mean?" step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the deduce something from that?" "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was