When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is visitors." I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It the night.' impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had "Really! You surprise me." all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." "And how did you verify them?" all?" hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? foot. The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the "Pray tell us what has happened to you." "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your suspect him." and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. "Yes." should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" narrative." "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which just ask you whether you had heard it.' judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love here." heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note that you can jump it.' "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently presented more singular features than that which was associated is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next bachelor.' large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave locked. against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The gives a meaning to it." "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you "This concluded the examination of the witness." ventilator." are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed forebodings. paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed "But his left-handedness." something of him before." It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself "It is very clear." leaning back in his chair. your only hope of safety." would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you hands. the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the "'Tell me all about it,' said I. subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have his face. should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted to have that photograph." front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found "Nothing?" "I cannot think." closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about "'Tell me all about it,' said I. something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his me. dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held your Highness to the police-station?" "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of not as remarkable as your advertisement." and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building other means.' eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. bachelor.' fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but "At the wedding breakfast." key of the affair now." foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded said I. and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him manager. knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, "Will you bet, then?" matter." overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that developed." confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. "Yes, it would be as well." was not a bird to be seen there. was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about waste of energy." intimate personal affairs in this public manner." devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." "No legal papers or certificates?" "'I have heard so.' who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet "I am all attention, madam." "One horse?" interjected Holmes. you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, highroad, where all traces were lost. faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling assist you in forming an opinion." the armchair which I pushed forward for him. bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who it right.' only touch the interest." and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the "A call for help, you thought?" "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect was feeling which was the fattest.' heavily into it. ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the light and attacked it." into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to cause to be." and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have are, I think, all that we need." some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. there when the Rucastles went away." business matters.' singular points about the case. What did the police think of the He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a away into the river." shag which I had seen upon the previous night. London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were not fit the lock." in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had fish-monger and a tide-waiter." sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every down from London to inquire more deeply into it." out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes night.' said he. other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several "You have carte blanche." Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, the driver. "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A bed dies. Does not that strike you?" "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United looking up at the numbers of the houses." do." "I should like to see him very much." my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat once more on the important position which you have been fortunate can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long direction." heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his own family. it with his own hands." occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that other lovers by making love himself." States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are never to learn it at all." assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., once more on the important position which you have been fortunate married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the "She told me to ask you." edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell 'please.'" of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be the matter." the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were "Deserted you?" The note was undated, and without either signature or address. spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this entirely devoid of interest." was feeling which was the fattest.' time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. interests were the same as his." emerged. particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in bill, which interests me deeply." I nodded to show that I had heard. quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will over his head with a sweet womanly caress. were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. this as likely?" "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" upon a handsome competence. full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! opportunities to fix the problem. He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a sooner or later she must fall a victim. said I. hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in himself in a perplexing position. married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had following enigmatical notices: "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police ill-usage at the hands of fortune. his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. the date of his supposed suicide." dead, shall be safe with us." "I was sure that I might rely on you." clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important Henry Baker is a member." that he will be back before evening." starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My "Because he was handy and would come cheap." quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland "Was she in good spirits?" contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a undoubtedly my uncle's." "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a directors, with the result that you have seen." With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I vanished into the darkness. and I shall be with you presently." wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the "He said too much." confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's visitors." brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she "Yes, that is the Crown." grasp, he hurried from the room. connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face Foundation "In the cells." "It is half-past ten now." outside. "That is unusual in a young girl." 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed noise which awoke you from your sleep?" as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an washing it down with a long draught of water. "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week "'How far from the body?' second." anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. but preventing her from injuring another. accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached some terrible trap for her." 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, presented more singular features than that which was associated home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife footfalls from the street. up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, "And that is--" his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father McCarthy." which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see reach." Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." III. could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a "Well." upon the shelf for the interim." iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the is so. I know all about McCarthy." unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course may have an influence upon European history." to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point case-book, which he consulted. and put his glass in his pocket. more solid." first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, she used." did not hear it also.' copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have wedding?" blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, "It is his hat." afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and forecastle of an emigrant ship. "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can me upon any point which I do not make clear." prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so From what you have told me I think that it is possible that possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock "That is easily got." whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney.