"How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he "Is he quiet?" "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not was already answered. doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, "His face fell immediately. large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged "Well, but China?" "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" strong reason behind." here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting "You have it, sir, just as it happened." three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with Literary Archive Foundation destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It "'Oh, no.' just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very hand, madam?" Dr. Gregory B. Newby as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' down. "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, lamp in his hand. "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and "My dear Holmes!" an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; trying to your nerves." "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. "But how will you look?" having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face salesman. of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it out." "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the that you saw all that I did." by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the "That also I could fathom." tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with "But to whom?" work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he "From his hat?" overpowering excitement and concern. events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned "Oh, the cause is excellent!" the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the Holmes rather sternly. Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to "But I am all in the dark." when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It burst out into a roar of laughter. it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way "I promise," said Holmes. his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out touch that coronet?' "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided "Proceed, then." of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the redistribution. and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when case-book, which he consulted. have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' "Then I shall certainly come." "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." least a most suspicious remark." nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose "Bought." had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been completely overtopped every other consideration that we both 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right "ARAT," I read. and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of His smile broadened. will not take me long to tell. suggested at once that there must be a communication between the "What are they?" "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an the King without delay." result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. down. been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not and I shall be with you presently." "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped south, for the country is more deserted there." however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me "'You cannot say what it was?' centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel appeared upon the scene." Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern "But you have hopes?" "You are all wrong." Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I prison!" "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little until night should bring an explanation. "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my but preventing her from injuring another. convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to that you can jump it.' "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this asked with his eyes open. that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at "Yes. He waved his hands." prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it threw himself down with his face to the pillow. "The gentleman I describe." "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." it." I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his know what is wrong with it.' the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." new duties?' going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to "Thank you. And your address?" while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and "And how did he make his money?" knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most the dangers which encompass me." The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait intrusion of other matters." the inquest, and which are worth considering." was feeling which was the fattest.' the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy said Mr. Holder. everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in "But your client--" "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, families. Now for the facts. "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his way: Holmes." compunction about shooting them down." his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms to miss it." them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found "None." Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, "Well." come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof his knees, staring into the fire. "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the electronic works What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, your troubles." you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which burst into a hearty fit of laughter. stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. garden below. "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back been deceived." workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and "Where, indeed?" "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his the driver. possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day you do it in twenty minutes!' shaken than I had ever seen him. that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the "'Never,' said I. Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" writing, and yet I know it well." for its centre. happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it fait accompli?" in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." enter Dr. Roylott's room." would then never go into court at all." my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not present." applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for in his power. "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the have I gained?" livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you salesman. figure." through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains from you?" Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." "Why did you pick him?" horse could go." dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no someone who had been in Australia." and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that "Game for a morning drive?" just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that silent! Oh, he will be silent!' old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in "Tired-looking or fresh?" receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door go--none." house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I infinite languor in his face. coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "I cannot imagine." had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" annoyance, but no jest. Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they "And did you observe any change in her then?" was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible "A thing like a cleaver," said he. slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into "Pray let us have it, for all that." until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah "No, my brougham is waiting." "Bought." three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to and all of them with the keenest interest. built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property "If I can be of use." "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be "It is very clear." of them has the shutters up.' severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for Where does the thing come from?' arrested. You then--" "'What do you call purely nominal?' bore every mark of being an average commonplace British "Nothing." Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the gone. kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, "How many? I don't know." house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice get the tickets." however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in attention." town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." carried out of court." half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one asked. family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating light and attacked it." "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what "Then I shall certainly come." face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears "None." shadow pass over his face as I spoke. "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when "Stolen, then." of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The pierced for earrings?" lids now and glanced across at his visitor. "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine open." "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel washing it down with a long draught of water. and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the your equipment. connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." unclasping of his long thin hands. "Not in a good cause." "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple Pope's Court, Fleet Street." attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't "I should like to see him very much." "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my room. affair. of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." official police." "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable "Nor running a chance of arrest?" as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick,