"'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of them, and came down just as you departed. suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out late." might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. the dangers which encompass me." Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock DAMAGE. I. absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy "So I have heard." "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds lumber-room." "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, "'I shall certainly be there.' "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of said he at last. "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left "Never to return." result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with and your relations to her." the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the "And you can do nothing until then?" called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay out." be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and Pool. coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of "Perhaps we may make them less so." DISSOLVED. "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. and I shall be with you presently." not as remarkable as your advertisement." Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. "But how will you look?" safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy Holmes rather sternly. About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and footfalls from the street. "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she indiscretion." I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. which I could not give. He asked for Alice. several quiet little villages up there." come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner the coronet in his hands?" professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining mysterious end." states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with back alive. He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ me." "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." to-night?' as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were Sutherland?" railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" door?" however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." and effective." notes," he said. of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, remarked. status with the IRS. the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, test if we have an answer to our advertisement." surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. make me his representative both with the servants and with the "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able seen the man in the road." have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very stalked out of the room. "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should system of imprisonment?" is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my meanly of me." all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid know what is wrong with it.' you for a few hours?" since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third most important business. It is probable that he will be away all most interesting one." whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger not interfere, come what may. You understand?" "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." his face which made him a very different person to the round, mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting companion imperturbably. place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to "Why did you beat the pavement?" at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. Farm upon the left." recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you "Never." vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and "Precisely." "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my standing smiling on the door-step. blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his "And Miss Sutherland?" shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked highly," said Holmes. "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his "It is his hat." his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into companion. off." iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" light and attacked it." feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by "No, I had a dozen." What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a "It goes to the housekeeper's room." "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the there!' time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the appointment with me for six o'clock?" she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so "But the mystery?" Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the the stones. the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an locked." old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice points to suicide?" enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. "That is unusual in a young girl." "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my the morning and make my own way in the world.' gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He been shamefully used." fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and be best to do. you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked meant it for the best. Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in had picked up in the wood. "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. would then never go into court at all." what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and "Did your wife hear all this?" see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out "And now?" He raised his hand. words came to my lips. his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle once more for Briony Lodge. question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our there in twenty minutes." "What?" "Upon what point?" ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make "Where, indeed?" "She showed me, as I told you she would." don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as "I will try. What is it?" open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, "And the murderer?" know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, "And who is her maid?" horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that "Did you become engaged then?" be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that "And leave your case unfinished?" important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the little adventures." evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had "I guessed as much." "You are all wrong." "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. call for it in person on Monday morning.' "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be row." were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must open." "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to "Stolen." "An accident, I presume?" insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was "He is still with you, I presume?" weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All "That is unusual in a young girl." against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who "'Where could I find him?' "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped stammered. Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is your billet.' might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a Holmes." Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me very morning of my second wedding." Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible lost nothing by them." glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over lumber-room." has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, ways including including checks, online payments and credit card It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it "You know me, then?" these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in the one as in the other." conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the "Not I." flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of "His face fell immediately. beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is paper in the air. I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not dramatic, in fact." into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to back into the street. "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, handed it to him. time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to prisoner's face. At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the "Ten will be early enough." orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as gone. At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, detective. the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He this as likely?" with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. into the room. "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. that I can to serve you." It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her