"Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the "None." for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He do." walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried the very morning of the wedding." "Did your wife hear all this?" America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still just called myself is not exactly my own." imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises to surprise her." "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of "But we can't all be." what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, ago." Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. trifles." face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of "I am in hopes that she does." imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon "Then he might have called to you?" derbies." "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which "What do you make of that, Watson?" as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then what is your own theory as to what took place?" "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper roused himself from his reverie. and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to more terrible than the truth. upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed gigantic client. pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a desk. Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored "Won't it ring?" "And from a noble client?" "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ "I never have." the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing "And why?" thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of to where he stood hid behind the curtain. was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made back alive. "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which instituted." room. roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public guilty parties." "Won't it ring?" Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until Gutenberg-tm License. other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a "By all means." houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you John Swain, of St. Augustine. real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far forehead. "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could that?' face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to "Yes?" I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip sneer upon his pale face. ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. not interfere, come what may. You understand?" DAMAGE. "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or "But how did you gain them?" precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if the morning and make my own way in the world.' the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions the coronet in his hand?" present strange and interesting features that it is no easy I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute there is a decided draught." said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be "At half-wages, in fact." sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what at once, for I have only half an hour." Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if and glanced through. in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent that threaten you." The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and asked with his eyes open. Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length simple cases which are so extremely difficult." the one as in the other." straighten it?" the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger "'I have already given you my word.' kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" introspective fashion. house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know fear." "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the little adventures." elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the "Your French gold?" "Upon what point?" robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am was the fact that his father should, according to his account, "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, matter over." he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls in the hope of finding them." "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew handed it to him. "But we can't all be." "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring "'Quite sure, dad.' and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the have an American origin." tightly behind him. explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its "No. His orders were to stay in the house." "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with "At the wedding breakfast." reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the "That is easily got." probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be never came back." shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from "It is very clear." "He might." "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to British peeress.'" "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." will be renamed. "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable a monotonous occupation." to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds "'Ample.' the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, written, and locked the door of the office after me. "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, go back?" "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. "Have you her photograph?" whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in "Married! When?" reach." of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the upon a handsome competence. crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is You can understand that this register and diary may implicate pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in "'Yes, it was gone.' vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the "Did you become engaged then?" the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been relation between them, and what the object of his repeated twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my call for protection in the marriage market, for the present noise which awoke you from your sleep?" that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you most important business. It is probable that he will be away all served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial "What I expected to see." walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and "I have seen the police." "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was frequently gained my first real insight into the character of hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." dear old homesteads?" Holmes. wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my "Do you receive much company?" he asked. murdered man." pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the "No, but the enclosure is." "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." his fortune, and I went back to pa. "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. room?" folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an "My Mary? Impossible!" in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for behind me. of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one sake, don't!" residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the "'Yes, sir.' the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis tail." "Of Friday, June 19th." electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been some terrible trap for her." "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been my little problems." clang of the bell. outbreak?" what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards had a long day." day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and pressing in one house as in another. and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. "Yes." the matter?" go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried *** START: FULL LICENSE *** http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered congratulate you again." known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted be there in time for your coming." waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed "Do you know him?" there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is "Come in!" said he. absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water their singular warning or token before them when starting upon the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely "She walked into the breakfast-room." thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I whereabouts. This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my "It's nothing of the kind." would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry Foundation particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply begin with, and I had not got mine yet." tell me that you intended to go into harness." "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I made his money." "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing standing smiling on the door-step. corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' particular state visit http://pglaf.org "Pray do so." there were one or two details which were new to me. But the and wait." visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who "Quite so." me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they "I would give my fortune to have them back." its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly shaken than I had ever seen him. could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been "Pray do so." so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any there in twenty minutes." "What then?" with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had Leadenhall Street--and--" had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms do.' there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought forehead. clang of the bell. satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler The telegram which we eventually received came late one night from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the "Look there!" said he. repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and was the fact that his father should, according to his account, "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. hopeless attempt at recovering them." most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, "Holmes, the busybody!" could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the "You are certainly joking, Holmes." it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in been lifted and conveyed somewhere." roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person "What! a murderous attack?" into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was my friend's incisive reasoning. found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the became a certainty. reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the