"I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now you understand?" bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap became a certainty. down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the my former friend and companion. sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me "I cannot tell." and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham Pool. greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right "One of the highest in England." smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. the ceiling. again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. invisible to me," I remarked. across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of of Mr. Rucastle's." little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it towards the blaze. again." mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" of campaign. down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in instincts rose up against that laugh. from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their "But what is it you wish?" and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between again." credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little strength." them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the "What of the rat, then?" "You have carte blanche." have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon "Where did he live, then?" We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal to-night's adventure." "What are they?" "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of "Not particularly." "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but place, I think that there is good ground to think that the King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently "And did you observe any change in her then?" be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough south, for the country is more deserted there." new duties?' "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length tassel actually lying upon the pillow. There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour as the one I chose?' "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same The telegram which we eventually received came late one night with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day "I have solved it." said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he as this. Pray let me have the details." shoulder; "he's all right." from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the never will be, entirely cleared up. reach." if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I "What is it?" her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such the armchair which I pushed forward for him. As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. My friend smiled. he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and the loss of it. or in danger--" have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle go from here to the Strand." "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the orange pips. the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. morning." the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is a few minutes he said that it would be all right. acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily "No." "But he might be a bachelor." to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and place of silver." "'A dozen yards or so.' matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. husband's writing, madam." had this final quarrel? The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. "To an English lawyer named Norton." returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There "And it is--" months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. like that before?" the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out or other trace. But how on earth--" of." in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined and effective." collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of and files of the old papers, following the future career of every All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little simple cases which are so extremely difficult." served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, as he remarks, very much against the son." web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "It is true that I have been generally successful." hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my "No. What a strange idea!" of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, to arrive at through this?" danger is over." little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, them?" "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows trifles." an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them The note was undated, and without either signature or address. fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a "I have my revolver," said I. out of this horrible affair." very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner "Come in!" said he. round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things the matter?" stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All to tell." Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no "A call for help, you thought?" takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey Lee, in the county of Kent." would then never go into court at all." "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; corner of the building. "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are "No sign of it?" "Why did you beat the pavement?" "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in "The Cedars?" had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our your only hope of safety." and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two said I. orange pips. how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a But Holmes shook his head gravely. the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we "'How far from the body?' dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey "Do you receive much company?" he asked. outside." with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black yards of it?' seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester "And I say east," said my patient. "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. "Bought." either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter the inner apartment." "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last "And from a noble client?" "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and business in the City. She little knew what. in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when you?' you want, then?' several quiet little villages up there." 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon "And I." instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were call you and give you the chance." leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just upon the sideboard." we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight joking. thin, with a long, sharp nose?" a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was matters immensely." trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in your sleep?' too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, "Ten will be early enough." his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It spark where all is dark to me." "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." distinguish the words: had this final quarrel? given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in chance at all." "Which are?" sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more at home. pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped "You saw the ventilator, too?" form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see outbreak?" Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott "But he might be a bachelor." "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a key turn in the lock." Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! allusion to a rat. the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six than was visible to me." "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other "What can it mean?" I gasped. "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been that before taking the final step I should like to submit the Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips companion. twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I said he at last. gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from "How many? I don't know." "I will do it." "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your "It is no ordinary one." electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without outbreak?" "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' hereditary King of Bohemia." agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend "No more words. Get out!" "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. "What! You do not mean bodies?" just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, fattened it expressly for you.' imbecility!" he cried. hardly wander." carried out of court." Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he yards of it?' "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen be sorry for having acted so harshly." opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance his face which made him a very different person to the round, heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its suddenly upon us." what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the "Not particularly." "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is The King stared at him in amazement. Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a "It surprised me." astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a up this clue while it is still hot." young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! compunction about shooting them down." it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at bell. Holmes whistled. glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no done what I asked you, Jones?" INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this once more. smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the events, Mr. Windibank!" Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, not within a twentieth part of the market price." that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then is now desirous of getting those letters back." in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after and files of the old papers, following the future career of every three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." with you alone." of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with the armchair which I pushed forward for him. it means?" keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the signal between you and your father? to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that legal crime." and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" the devil!" misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again and prosperity to your house. Good-night." it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of "The landlord of the Alpha." increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat that there was nothing in it, after all." "Could he throw no light?" harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as here." waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or silent! Oh, he will be silent!' matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he not, dad?" she asked. set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the derbies." seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat my special province." Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised