Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor present." bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and "I don't believe it." over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and do." "This concluded the examination of the witness." whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, morning." "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the test if we have an answer to our advertisement." "She showed me, as I told you she would." suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich "Yes." forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. "I cannot imagine." "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in vanished into the darkness. "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, one of them." call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you in this note: inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed next day. the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence little trying to do so much typewriting?" "'Yes, it was gone.' Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had quick march!" their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter "No sign of it?" month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. the south-west, I see." ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident "Here?" the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met of the efforts of the United States government and of the better grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always think you a quite exceptional woman." One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to "How can you tell that?" France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country have had none more fantastic than this." until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My "Then how many are there?" the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The lost his Christmas dinner." would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of criminal. We have already had experience of such." feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have a little more before I quite committed myself. nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of of the one which your family is now devouring." secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read security.' vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I detained." "'Yes, sir.' light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch six. Come in!" "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's murdered man." and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of about here speaks of his kindness to him." where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, "Thank you. And your address?" rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and followed. the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that absorbing." assist you in forming an opinion." "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the "I came to find a friend." have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He used to be." offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of good for you to do.' it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her promised to bring home. client, rising. turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, gone. I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something have got?" course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me "No legal papers or certificates?" appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, "And leave your case unfinished?" been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. "'What would be the hours?' I asked. yet." its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was letters?" heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An "You heard nothing yourself last night?" people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the 'I should be able to look after that for you.' long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles *** START: FULL LICENSE *** "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect problems help me to do so." Holmes. Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found "Do you go out much in society?" and no precautions can guard against." "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either dead, shall be safe with us." through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the "'No, I know no one in these parts.' of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after "I am to be neutral?" Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten means taking possession of that which another person has a prior Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the me, and I could not think that his explanation of the "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer "Was there a secret marriage?" have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, to go into your room and bar your shutters?" "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised threw himself down with his face to the pillow. The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put place of silver." Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my "How did you trace it, then?" it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we such attractions and accomplishments?' a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and "'Entirely.' me. papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was it." right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to "In which, sir?" adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future we went to search for him, face downward in a little "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a which I could not give. He asked for Alice. it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass "A client, then?" hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you carpenter." roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, whole matter to your consideration." dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with amused." tell them apart.' "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young said I. effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up ceremony." think that any burglar could have done. place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my second window is the one that I jumped from." varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy room had already been engaged for us. "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with London for the present?" as he folded up the epistle. "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in "By no means." "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling amused." skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, "I cannot imagine." and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from remarked. round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that "Never." though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, a suggestive one." instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the presented which may be striking and bizarre without being word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or tell me that you intended to go into harness." delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very said he. "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall what do you think they found in the pockets?" formed some opinion?" which should have the effect of calling the attention of the to have that photograph." "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. "And the cigar-holder?" attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution peculiar to him. which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended call you and give you the chance." don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own strength." and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom chance at all." upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton passage and a tap at the door. not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable leaning back in his chair. urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was happened." shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter "Texas, I think." one or two very singular points about this room. For example, guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the in the port of London." as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as so far?" of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney sofa. This way, please!" his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no been deceived." light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness arms and began to sob in a high treble key. girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some that you wished to speak to me?' "Witness: It was. had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already